Tr
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
UAKTE RLY
THE LAW
OF GOD
Thou shalt have no other gods before
II
Thou shalt not make unto thee any.
graven image, or any likeness of any-
thing that is in heaven above, or that
is in the earth beneath, or that is in
the water under the .earth: thou shalt
not bow down thyself to them, nor
serve them: for I the lord thy God am
o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of
the fathers upon the children unto the
third and fourth geneiation• of them
that hate Me; and showing mercy unto
thousands of them that love Me, and
keep My commandments.
Honor thy father and thy mother:
that thy days may be long upon the
land which the lord thy God giveth
Thou shalt not kill.
VII
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not take the name of the
lord thy God in vain; for the lord will
not hold him guiltless that taketh His
name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep
it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and
do all thy work: but the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the lord thy God: in it
thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor
thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-
servant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy
cattle, nor thy stranger that is within
thy
.
gates: for in six days the lord made
heaven and north, the sea, and all that
in them is, n
y
ted the
th day:
ssed the Sabbath
Thou shalt not
against
thy
n '9
Thou shalt
house, thou
bor's wife
maids°
STAN DUNPHY. AN
STUDIES
,
ON THE EPISTLE TO THE' ROMANS
ISIOR No. 25,5,
FIR
I
t
§9
THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character
of God. Every seed brings forth fruit after its kind. . . . Receive into the soul
by faith the incorruptible seed of the word, and it will bring forth a character
and a life after the similitude of the character and the life of
God."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 38.
"Appreciation of the Bible grows with its study."—Ibid., p. 132.
"God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting
people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon
His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural,
earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus."—Th
e Desire of Ages,
page 391.
"The neglect of the word means starvation to the
soul."—Counsels on
Sabbath School Work,
page 44.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I
pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab-
bath school lesson each day of the week.
Name
LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER
I. God's Righteousness in Judging Sin
2.
The Unbiased Judgment of God
3.
Justification by Means of Faith
4.
Justification and Life Instead of
Condemnation and Death
5.
Christ Jesus the Only Deliverer
From Sin
6.
Walking With Christ
7.
God Vindicated in Dealing With
Jew and Gentile
8.
Righteousness by Faith an Old
Testament Principle
9.
The Sovereignty of God Made
Plain in His Gracious Mercy
xo. Exhoration to Church Members
I. Love and Tolerance in the Life
of the Christian
12.
Mercy Extended to the Gentiles
53. The Review
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 255, January-March, 1959. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents
a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the
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change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.
Copyright, 1958, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
STUDIES ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
The Apostle Paul's Teaching on the Righteousness of God in Relation to the Plan of
Salvation, and the Great Issues That Pertain Thereto
Lesson 1, for January 3, 1959
God's Righteousness in Judging Sin
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Romans 1.
MEMORY VERSE:
"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek." Rom.
1:16.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh:day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans, chap-
ter 1; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of December 18, 1958.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5, 6; read from
Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7, 8; learn
Check Here
Memory Verse.
Wednesday: Questions 9, 10; read
from Study Helps.
Thursday: Questions 11-14.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0.
Lesson Outline
I. A
Messenger of the Gospel
1.
The apostle's office and commission.
Rom. 1:1.
2.
Prophetic promise. Rom. 1:2.
3.
The central Person of the gospel.
Rom. 1:3, 4.
4.
The divine purpose. Rom. 1:5, 6.
II. The Church in Rome
5.
Paul's esteem for the Christians in
Rome. Rom. 1:7-10.
6.
A contemplated visit to Rome.
Rom. 1:11-15.
III. Theme of Paul's Epistle
7.
Power of God unto salvation.
Rom. 1:16.
8.
Righteousness by faith. Rom. 1:17.
IV. Sinners Without Excuse
9.
Wrath of. God against sinners.
Rom. 1:18.
10.
Without excuse. Rom. 1:19, 20.
V. Terrible Results of Apostasy
11.
Ingratitude, vain imagination,
darkness. Rom. 1:21, 22.
12.
Turning from Creator to creature
worship. Rom. 1:23-25.
13.
Degradation of false worship.
Rom. 1:26-28.
14.
Complete abandon. Rom. 1:29-32.
[3
l
THE LESSON
A Messenger of the Gospel
1.
How does the apostle Paul in-
troduce himself? Rom. 1:1.
NOTE.—The
apostle tells us his Roman
name, which was possibly given him at
birth in Tarsus, as he was born a Roman
citizen. He then states that he was a "serv-
ant" or slave of Jesus Christ. The word
translated "servant" is the one that de-
notes unlimited obedience, being used for
slaves in his day.
2.
What background for the gos-
pel does Paul give? Rom. 1:2.
Nom.—Paul's gospel was not new; it had
been "promised aforetime." It is rooted
in the Old Testament.
3.
Whom does the gospel reveal?
Rom. 1:3, 4.
Nom.—"When the voice of the mighty
angel was heard at Christ's tomb, saying,
Thy Father calls Thee, the Saviour came
forth from the grave by the life that was
in Himself. Now was proved the truth of
His words, 'I lay down My life,' that I
might take it again. . . . I have power to
lay it down, and I have power to take it
again.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 785.
The name "Jesus" refers to the human-
ity of the Saviour; the name "Christ"
speaks of Him officially as the Anointed
One. He is also God's Son, born of a
woman. The genealogical derivation of
Jesus is stated literally in the words, "who
came into being of the seed of David."
This is strengthened by the words, "ac-
cording to the flesh." So on His divine side
Jesus Christ is Son of God; and on His
human side He is the Son of David.
4.
How is the broad purpose of the
gospel stated? Rom. 1:5, 6.
Nom.—When the apostle stated the pur-
pose lying back of God's plan of salvation,
"for obedience to the faith among all na-
tions," he referred to an obedience
that
springs from faith.
Faith is to be the mo-
tive that activates obedience.
"We do not earn salvation by our obe-
dience; for salvation is the free gift of
God, to be received by faith. But obedi-
ence is the fruit of
faith."—Steps to Christ,
page 61.
The Church in Rome
5.
How does Paul describe the Ro-
man Christians and show his interest
in them? Rom. 1:7-10.
Nom.—The first descriptive phrase is
"beloved of God." Paul was confident that
God loved those people.
"Called to be saints." The words "to
be"
are
supplied in the King James Version.
It is better to leave them out. The mean-
ing is the same as given in verse 1, "called
an apostle." In both instances the phrase
denotes a consecration to the service of
God. The word "saints" points to the justi-
fication that God has graciously bestowed
on the basis of one's personal faith; also
to the daily sanctification in victorious liv-
ing that each Christian must manifest.
6.
Why did Paul wish to visit
Rome? What terms does he use in
describing those to whom he must
preach? Rom. 1:11-15.
Theme of Paul's Epistle
7.
How is the theme of Paul's let-
ter to the Romans stated? Rom. 1:16.
Nom. —The apostle introduces the theme
of the letter by an expression that really
means he is very proud of the gospel. Paul
knew the gospel was a thing of shame to
many, but he counted it a privilege to
preach Christ in the world's capital. The
word translated "power" is the one from
which we get our English word "dyna-
mite;" and truly the gospel is spiritual
dynamite.
[ 4 ]
14W/A
ARE WE AFRAID TO DISPLAY
THE BIBLE—THE
GOS
PEL STORY?
1039.1
8.
What wonderful fact does the
gospel reveal? Rom. 1:17.
NoTE.—It is the righteousness of God
that is revealed in that very gospel. There
is emphasis in the thought that it is God's
righteousness; not a legal righteousness that
stems from works.
The starting point and the final end are
given in the words, "from faith to faith."
The starting point of the righteousness of
God in a man's life is faith ; and the final
end is faith. Salvation is a matter of faith
from first to last, faith succeeding faith in
steady Christian growth. The emphasis is
on the expression "by faith." That is, a
man may have eternal life now and im-
mortal life in the new earth, if he has faith
as the starting point. Compare John 3:
15, 16.
Sinners Without Excuse
9.
What attribute of God is being
revealed from heaven? Rom. 1:18.
NoTE.—The apostle develops his theme
beginning with the lost condition of the
human race. He says the anger of God is
being revealed from heaven upon every
kind of irreligion and injustice as practiced
by men.
The word Paul uses for "wrath" is one
that suggests an active emotion based on
God's infallible judgment. It is not a sud-
den exasperation. It represents the divine
reaction to willful, continued sin and is the
logical antithesis of love. Divine love and
wrath cannot be thrust apart, for love and
mercy have no meaning aside from justice.
All the attributes of God are in perfect
balance. The wrath of God is being in-
creasingly revealed, in human lives and in
nature, as the course of history reaches its
climax.
10.
Why are sinners without ex-
cuse? Rom. 1:19, 20.
NOTE.—"Not only the things of nature,
but the sacrificial service and the Scriptures
themselves—all given to reveal God—were
so perverted that they became the means of
concealing Him.
"Christ sought to remove that which ob-
scured the truth. The veil that sin has
cast over the face of nature, He came to
draw aside, bringing to view the spiritual
glory that all things were created to re-
flect. His words placed the teachings of
nature as well as of the Bible in a new
aspect, and made them a new revelation."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 18, 19.
Terrible Results of Apostasy
11.
What caused men to turn from
God, and with what results? Rom. 1:
21, 22.
NOTE.—Men were condemned because
their conduct did not measure up to their
knowledge of God. Having this knowledge,
they failed to glorify Him who is dis-
closed in creation and in their consciences.
The word "glorify" here may be under-
stood as a general term for worship.
"Became vain in their imaginations."
The literal expression by Paul is, "They
became foolish in their reasonings." The
same word in the Septuagint is found in
1 Samuel 26:21, where Saul acknowledges,
"I have played the fool." The word trans-
lated "imaginations" is the one from which
we get our English word "dialogue,"
namely, a conversation, a discussion.
[
5l
The result of this is that their hearts
became darkened; the word "heart" refer-
ring to all their faculties of mind and emo-
tions. Paul makes a very emphatic state-
ment by putting in the word "senseless"
with "hearts."
12. Turning from their Creator,
what did men worship? Rom. 1:
23-25.
NoTE.-The word "glory" (verse 23)
must be understood in this connection to
refer to the sum total of the divine attri-
butes, God's eternal power and divinity.
The grotesque images worshiped by the
heathen show the lengths to which men in
their stupidity will go in seeking to portray
God when they have rejected the truth.
One should bear in mind that they did not
"change" (verse 23) the divine attributes;
men cannot do that, for God is immutable.
The word Paul uses is really, "to exchange
one thing for another."
"The exaltation of nature above the God
of nature, the worship of the creature in-
stead of the Creator, has always resulted
in the grossest of
evils."-Prophets and
Kings,
page 281.
13.
To what extent did God for-
sake these wicked men? Rom. 1:26-28.
NoTE.-The logical consequence of man's
degradation was that God was farther away
from them than ever before; and with
this came the loss of self-respect, of de-
cency, of natural modesty. See 1 Tim. 2:9.
The apostle literally says in Romans 1:28,
"Even as they deliberately chose not to
keep God in their knowledge."
14.
How complete was their apos-
tasy?
Rom. 1:29-32.
Lesson 2, for January 10, 1959
The Unbiased Judgment of God
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Romans 2 to 3:20.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justi-
fied in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3:20.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 2 to
3:20; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of December 25, 1958.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Tuesday: Questions 7-10.
Check Here
Wednesday: Read Study Helps.
Thursday: Questions 11-14; learn
Memory Verse.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
I. Human Versus
Divine Judgment
1.
Warning against judging one
another. Rom. 2:1-3.
2.
God's forbearance. Rom. 2:4.
3.
Righteous judgment of God. Rom.
2:5.
II. Basis of God's Judgment
4. According to man's deeds. Rom.
2:6-10.
5.
Impartiality of God's judgment.
Rom. 2:11-13.
6.
Conscience bears witness. Rom.
2:14-16.
III. Position of Jewish Moralist
7.
Legal security. Rom. 2:17-20.
8.
Searching question. Rom. 2:21-24.
9.
Circumcision and the law. Rom.
2:25-27.
10.
How to be a true Jew. Rom. 2:
28, 29.
[ 6 ]
IV. Both Jew and Gentile Under
Condemnation
11. Jewish advantage not immunity.
Rom. 3:1-9.
12.
None righteous. Rom. 3:10-12.
13.
Condition described. Rom. 3:
13-18.
14.
Justification not by deeds of the
law. Rom. 3:19, 20.
THE LESSON
Human Versus Divine Judgment
1.
What warning does God give
concerning human judgment? Rom.
2:1-3.
2.
How is God's forbearance set
forth? Rom. 2:4.
NOTE.—"It is the assurance of God's love
that constrains the sinner to return ,to God.
`The goodness of God leadeth thee to re-
pentance.' Rom. 2:4. A golden chain, the
mercy and compassion of divine love, is
passed around every imperiled soul. The
Lord declares, 'I have loved thee with an
everlasting love; therefore with loving-
kindness have I drawn thee.' Jer. 31:3."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 202.
3.
What word is used to charac-
terize God's judgment? Rom. 2:5.
NoTE.—"The Lord declares by the
prophet Isaiah: 'Say ye to the righteous,
that it shall be well with him.' Woe unto
the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the
reward of his hands shall be given him !'
Isaiah 3:10, 11. 'Though a sinner do evil
an hundred times,' says the wise mail, 'and
his days be prolonged, yet surely I know
that it shall be well with them that fear
God, which fear before Him: but it shall
not be well with the wicked.'
"—The Great
Controversy,
page 540.
Basis of God's Judgment
4.
Upon what acts of life is the
judgment of God based? Rom. 2:6-10.
NoTE.—The acts of life done day by day
are an index to a man's character. They
form the picture of his soul, and may
treasure up to him "wrath against the day
of wrath."
The righteous person is characterized by
a
patient, day-by-day doing of good deeds
that are the fruit of his justification and
daily sanctification. His whole life is in-
clined toward the eternal kingdom which
is described by the word "glory." Verse 7.
The word "honor" describes the distinctive
quality of the righteous person as God
views him, as well as the quality of all
things of the eternal kingdom. "Immor-
tality, eternal life" stress the fact that
nothing of decay or deterioration will have
any part in the future home of the saints.
5.
How is God's impartiality in
judgment described? Describe the
two classes by which Paul illustrates
God's impartiality. Rom. 2:11-13.
NOTE.—"They [the solemn denunciations
of God's word] should cause those to fear
and tremble who flippantly declare it a
matter of little consequence whether we
obey God's law or not. All who exalt their
own opinions above divine revelation, all
who would change the plain meaning of
Scripture to suit their own convenience, or
for the sake of conforming to the world,
are taking upon themselves a fearful re-
sponsibility. The written word, the law of
God, will measure the character of every
man and condemn all whom this unerring
test shall declare wanting."—The
Great
Controversy,
page 268.
6.
How does Paul show the uni-
versal sway of the law of God? Rom.
2:14-16.
[ 7 ]
THE
PULL
OF GRAVITATION IS NO
""."
GREATER MIRACLE THAN THE DRAWING
P59-2
POWER OF GOD'S LOVE.
NOTE.—"Wherever there is an impulse of
love and sympathy, wherever the heart
reaches out to bless and uplift others, there
is revealed the working of God's Holy
Spirit. In the depths of heathenism, men
who have had no knowledge of the written
law of God, who have never even heard
the name of Christ, have been kind to His
servants, protecting them at the risk of
their own lives. Their acts show the work-
ing of a divine
power."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 385.
Position of Jewish Moralist
7.
In what did the Jewish moralist
rest? Rom. 2:17-20.
NOTE.—"The Jews claimed to have a
special relation to God, but instead of this
relationship revealing itself in humble de-
pendence and loyal obedience, it mani-
fested itself in conceit and arrogance to-
ward the people of other nations. This
was a perversion of the glorying that God
commends: 'Let him that glorieth glory in
this, that he understandeth and knoweth
Me, that I am the Lord which exercise
loving-kindness, judgment, and righteous-
ness, in the earth' (Jer.
9:24)."—The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Rom. 2:17.
8.
What searching questions does
Paul ask of Jewish moralists? What
had been their influence on the Gen-
tiles? Rom. 2:21-24.
NOTE.—The Jewish moralist had per-
suaded himself that he was a moral and
spiritual guide of the spiritually blind, a
divinely appointed light for those in spirit-
ual darkness. These two statements rep-
resent his conception of his personal rela-
tion to non-Jews. The word translated
"guide" is a compound one made of the
two words way or
path,
and
leader,
there-
fore, "wayleader." Verse 20 gives two
more assumptions. First, that he was the
corrector or educator of those who had
not learned how to think correctly. Sec-
ond, that he was the teacher of infants,
literally, those not able to speak a word.
This is probably a reference to those prose-
lytes who accepted the Jewish faith.
9.
How only could circumcision be
of value? Rom. 2:25-27.
NOTE.—"Inasmuch as CIRCUMCISION was
the especial sign of the covenant, and as
such, a distinction on which the Jewish
mind dwelt with peculiar satisfaction: the
apostle sets forth,
that circumcision with-
out the keeping of the law is of no avail,
and that true circumcision and true Juda-
ism are matters of the heart, not of the
flesh only."—Henry
Alford,
The New Testa-
ment for English Readers,
on Rom. 2:
25-29.
10.
What constitutes a true Jew in
God's sight? Rom. 2:28, 29.
NOTE.—The Jews came to pride them-
selves on outward appearances. God sees
the heart, and examines the spirit. A true
Jew was one who could pass this test of the
inner life, and not one whose boast was in
externals.
"He [Paul] desired to bring to his Jew-
ish brethren,
as well as to the Gentiles, a
knowledge of the gospel; and therefore he
sought, so far as was consistent with the
faith, to remove every pretext for opposi-
tion. Yet while he conceded this much to
[ 8 ]
Jewish prejudice, he believed and taught
circumcision or uncircumcision to be noth-
ing, and the gospel of Christ everything."
—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 204.
Both Jew and Gentile Under
Condemnation
11.
In spite of the Jews' special
privilege, what was the result of un-
belief? Rom. 3:1-9.
NoTE.—The "advantage" of the Jew is
illustrated by circumcision. The apostle is
referring back to chapter 2:25, where he
says, "Circumcision verily profiteth." He
now begins to explain his meaning. The
Jew was given many advantages, "much
every way." Of the numerous blessings
and privileges bestowed, Paul mentions one
in particular: "Unto them were committed
the oracles of God." This statement in-
cludes the entire Old Testament. To have
the divine revelation entrusted to them,
and that in turn to be given by them to the
world, was certainly a very great honor.
12.
How widespread is human
guilt? Rom. 3:10-12.
NoTE.—The emphatic word of verse 12
is "all." The apostle uses a picture word:
"All were out of alignment." The English
particle "cline" in such expressions as "in-
clination," comes from the word Paul uses.
He literally says that all are outclining,
instead of inclining; that is, they are de-
viating from the true instead of inclining
toward it. Paul further states that all have
become unprofitable, good for nothing, quite
useless. The apostle then describes the
ac-
tions
of. men: "There is none that doeth
good."
13.
What terms are used to show
the depths of human depravity? Rom.
3:13-18.
NoTE.—The throat, the tongue, the lips,
and the mouth are used for destructive pur-
poses instead of being utilized in praising
God. As terrible odors come from an
opened tomb, so "corrupt communica-
tions" (Eph. 4:29) come from the throat of
the unconverted. This figurative expres-
sion is now interpreted by the next clause:
"With their tongues they have used deceit."
This is followed by another figurative ex-
pression taken from Psalm 140:3. This is a
figure of malicious infliction of .pain and
distress; it is explained by Romans 3:14.
Paul says the feet of the wicked are
swift or sharp to shed blood. They love
violence, destruction, and misery. The
world today is full of such desolation and
misery.
14.
How does Paul introduce the
impossibility of justification by works
of the law? Rom. 3:19, 20.
NoTE.—"Righteousness by works of law
has been the basis of every false religious
system and had become the principle even
of the Jewish religion (DA 35, 36). . . .
Jew and Gentile alike are in need of justi-
fication. But the law has no power to jus-
tify. It can only expose the sinfulness of
sin in its true colors. Justification can be
obtained in only one
way."—The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom.
3:20.
Lesson 3, for January 17, 1959
Justification by Means of Faith
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Romans 3:21 to 4:25.
MEMORY VERSE: "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that
is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24.
:
STUDY HELPS: "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary" on Romons
.
4:25; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January, 1.
L9]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Questions 1-4.
'
Monday: Questions 5-7; learn
Memory Verse.
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 8-10.
Wednesday: Read from Study Helps.
Thursday: Questions 11-13.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
Proclamation of God's Righteousness
1.
Righteousness by faith. Rom.
3:21, 22.
2.
Sinners justified by grace. Rom.
3:23,24.
3.
Boasting excluded. Rom. 3:25-30.
4..
Faith establishes the law. Rom.
3:31.
II. Example of Righteousness by Faith
5.
Abraham believed God. Horn.
4:1-3.
6.
How God justifies the ungodly.
Rom. 4:4-8.
7.
Abraham's faith ieck'oned for
righteousness. Rom. 4:9-12.
Basis of Promises to Abraham
8.
Not through law, but through
faith. Rom. 4:13.
9.
Why this was necessary. Rom.
4:14, 15.
10, Promise made sure to all. Rom.
4:16, 17.
IV. Abraham's Experience Related
11.
Quality of Abraham's faith. Rom.
4:18-21.
12.
Imputed righteousness. Rom.
4:22.
13.
'Paul's application of thig historical
record. Rom. 4:23-25.
Proclamation of God's
Righteousness
THE LESSON
2. What does God exercise' when
He declares a person righteous? Rom.
3:23, 24.
1. By what means is the righteous-
ness of God made evident? Rom. 3:
21, 22.
NOTE.
-"Being witnessed by the law and
the prophets," is an expression that includes
the whole of the Old Testament. Paul is
here speaking of the witness of all the cere-
monies, laws, promises, and revelations
throughout the Old Testament from Gene-
sis to Malachi. We must bear in mind that
divine righteousness is imputed to us quite
apart from law but not contrary to it. Ro-
mans 3:31. It is by means of personal faith
in Jesus Christ that this wonderful God-
righteousness may be received. This right-
eousness appeared in the character of Jesus
while He was living on the earth.
NoTE.-A man is justified freely-it costs
him absolutely nothing-by ,God's gracious
kindness that operates because of the 're-
demption," literally the _ransoming, that
was accomplished by Jesus Christ. Justi-
fication without cost; its source is God's
grace and it is accomplished in the person
of Jesus Christ.
3. What principle ordained by God
excludes boasting? Rom. 3:25-30.
NoTE.-"The nearer we come to Jesus
and the more clearly we discern the purity
of His character, the more clearly we shall
discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin and
I14
].
the less we shall feel like exalting ourselves.
Those whom heaven recognizes as holy
ones are the last to parade their own good-
ness."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 160.
4.
What is the effect of faith upon
the law? Rom. 3:31.
NoTE.—"Is he [man] now free to trans-
gress God's law? Says Paul: `Do we then
make void the law through faith? God
forbid: yea, we establish the law.' How
shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein?' And John declares, 'This
is the love of God, that we keep His com-
mandments: and His commandments are
not grievous.' In the new birth the heart
is brought into harmony with God, as it
is brought into accord with His law."—
The Great Controversy,
page 468.
Example of Righteousness
by Faith
5.
With what great man does Paul
resume his theme? What fact does
he emphasize? Rom. 4:1-3.
NoTE.—It is important to keep in mind
that Paul is speaking to Christians. The
supreme example of justification by faith
in the Old Testament is Abraham; he is its
most commanding figure. The particular
point to bear in mind here is that he was
justified and became the spiritual father of
all believers while he was uncircumcised,
and
thus became the spiritual father of the
Gentiles.
So one can understand the force
of Paul's question, which is, literally, "What
then shall we say? that we find Abraham
[to be] our physical ancestor [only], ac-
cording to the flesh?" This is a question
that Paul is asking each Christian: "What
is your personal relation to Abraham? Is
he merely a physical ancestor, or is he
your spiritual father ?"
6.
What does God do when the
sinner exercises faith? Rom. 4:4-8.
NoTz."Believeth on Hifi.
Or; 'has
faith. in Him,' ',trusts. in
Him' (see
on ch.
3:3). This faith is not mere belief in the
goodness of God, but is trust in God Him-
self as justifying those who, if justice were
enforced without mercy, could not be justi-
fied.
It implies not only confidence in the
promises of God but also complete self-
surrender of the heart and life to the One
whom the believer has learned to trust.
Believing on Him means more than regard-
ing His word as true. It designates a
personal relation."—The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 4:5.
The psalmist made note of that three-
fold blessedness of the believer that is spo-
ken of as imputing to him God's own
divine righteousness. The threefold division,
in Paul's words, is as follows:
Blessed are they whose "lawlessnesses"
are forgiven.
Blessed are they whose sins are "com-
pletely covered up."
Blessed the man to whom the Lord will
not reckon sin.
This nonreckoning of sin has its positive
counterpart in the reckoning of God's
righteousness to the sinner.
7.
When was faith reckoned to
Abraham for righteousness? Of whom
did Abraham become the spiritual
father? Rom. 4:9-12.
NcrrE.—Both Moses (Gen: 15:6) and
James (James 2:23) say the same thing,
that something was reckoned to Abraham
as righteousness, namely, his faith. Be-
cause Abraham accepted God's word of
promise as absolutely dependable and true,
God accepted him as a person who had
filled to the full all His requirements. Abra-
ham had no righteousness of his own; God
reckoned His own righteousness to Abra-
ham because his faith reached even to Jesus
Christ on the cross.
.• The historical record of Abraham's jus-
tification is found in Genesis 15, and con-
tains no mention of his circumcision. The
record. of his circumcision is given in Gene-
sis 17, and did not occur until some four-
teen years after his justification
-
. .This con-
firms that Abraham was justified. solely .on
the -basis -of his-personal faith.; :at_ which
time- God
-
• Made
.
:His covenant _:With. -the
patriarch. Gen..: 15::18.- Inasmuch •-as_ the
patriarch - was - justified by: faith -years be-
In I
fore he was circumcised, it is his faith that
is the important fact; and this makes him
the spiritual father of all men of faith, ir-
respective of physical circumcision. This
makes every believer a candidate for "that
righteousness," that very righteousness of
God that was reckoned to Abraham.
Basis of Promises to Abraham
8.
What connection is there be-
tween law and promise? Rom. 4:13.
NarE.—"The fulfillment of God's prom-
ise may seem to be long delayed—for 'one
day is with the Lord as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day;' it may
appear to tarry; but at the appointed time
`it will surely come, it will not tarry.' The
gift to Abraham and his seed included not
merely the land of Canaan, but the whole
earth. So says the apostle, 'The promise,
that he should be the
heir of the world,
was not to Abraham, or to his seed,
through the law, but through the righteous-
ness of faith.' And the Bible plainly teaches
that the promises made to Abraham are to
be fulfilled through
Christ."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 170.
9.
What argument does Paul make
to enforce this point? Rom. 4:14, 15.
NOTE.—For the sake of re-emphasizing
his point Paul assumes (as if it were true),
the case of those who claim to be heirs on
the basis of keeping the law. He is forced
to conclude that if law were the basis, then
faith would have no significance, and the
promise would amount to nothing. For all
the law can do for a man is to make his
sin appear sinful, and therefore to bring
him under condemnation and subject to
God's wrath; it cannot declare a man
righteous, and thereby make him an heir.
Because law can produce in the sinner
only wrath, and not righteousness, the
promise of heirship can stem only from
faith, in order that the fulfillment of God's
promise might be by His grace, and not
lie:cause of any supposed merit in man.
This
,
:would make the promise sure, which
THE NEARER WE COME TO JESUS THE MORE
.1
,
41 SHALL SEE THE SINFULNESS OFSIN.
it could not be if it depended on man's
efforts to keep the law.
10.
To how many is the promise
made sure through faith? Rom. 4:
16, 17.
NoTE.—The expression, "a father of
many nations" (verse 17) is taken from Gen-
esis 17:5. God gave him that name be-
cause He foresaw the multitudes from
among all peoples who would exercise the
same faith that Abraham manifested. Then
the apostle gives two descriptive titles of
God. The first is, "the One who makes
alive the dead," referring to the revitaliz-
ing of the bodies of Abraham and Sarah so
that through Isaac's line the Saviour might
be born. The second is, "the One who calls
the things not existing as existing," point-
ing to the Gentile believers from among
all nations who would step out on faith in
Christ at the preaching of the gospel. They
already existed in God's eyes.
Abraham's Experience Related
11.
What was the quality of Abra-
ham's faith? Rom. 4:18-21.
::...NoTf.—"Faith that .enablei us ::to
re-
ceive
.
God's giftS is itself 'a gift,.. of. which
[ 12 ]
some measure is imparted to every human
being. It grows as exercised in appropriat-
ing the word of God. In order to strengthen
faith, we must often bring it in contact
with the
word."-Education,
pages 253,
254.
12. What great fact of faith is re-
peated here? Rom. 4:22. Compare
verse 6.
NorE.-"Imputation of the righteousness
of Christ comes through justifying faith,
and is the justification for which Paul so
earnestly contends."-E. G. White,
Se-
lected Messages,
book 1, page 397.
13. For whom is this experience
recorded? Rom. 4:23-25.
NOTE.-"God spared not His own Son,
but delivered Him to death for our of-
fenses and raised Him again for our justi-
fication. Through Christ we may present
our petitions at the throne of grace.
Through Him, unworthy as we are, we
may obtain all spiritual blessings. Do we
come to Him, that we may have life?"-
Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 221.
Lesson 4, for January 24,1959
Justification and Life Instead of Condemnation and Death
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Romans 5 to 6:11.
MEMORY VERSE: "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were
yet
sinners,
Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.
STUDY HELPS: "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 5 to
6:11; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 8.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday:
Questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6; learn
Memory Verse.
Lesson Outline
I. Blessings of Justification
1.
Peace through Christ. Rom. 5:1.
2.
Attitude of the justified. Rom.
5:2-4.
3.
The basis of hope. Rom. 5:5.
II. The Supreme Manifestation of Love
4.
Christ died for the ungodly. Rom.
5:6-8.
5.
Saved from wrath
and reconciled.
Rom. 5:9, 10.
6.
Atonement accomplished. Rom.
5:11.
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 7-10.
0
Wednesday: Questions 11-14.
0
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
0
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
III. Death Superseded by Life
7.
Fruits of Adam's sin. Rom. 5:12. '
8.
Relationship between sin and law.
Rom. 5:13, 14.
9.
The gift of grace. Rom. 5:15-17.
10.
Condemnation gives way to justi-
fication. Rom. 5:18, 19.
IV. Abounding Grace
11.
Grace triumphant. Rom. 5:20, 21.
12.
An important question. Rom.
6:1, 2.
13.
Death and resurrection. Rom.
6:3-7.
14.
Alive in Christ. Rom. 6:8-11.
[13l
Blessings of Justification
1. 'What precious gift comes to
the heart of one who accepts Christ
as his Saviour? ,Rom. 5:1.
THE LESSON
feeble (see Matt. 25:39; Luke 10:9; Acts
5:15). In Acts 4:9 it is translated 'impo-
tent,' a not unsuitable description of the
condition of a sinner before his acceptance
of the saving grace and power of God. . . .
"In due time.
Or, 'at the right time,' at
the fitting time.' This is essentially the
same as 'the fullness of the time' (Gal. 4:4;
cf. Mark
1:15)."—The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 5:6.
5. Explain the "much more then"
that Paul discusses. Rom. 5:9, 10.
NoTE.—"Christ is 'the Prince of Peace'
(Isaiah 9:6), and it is His mission to re-
store to earth and heaven the peace that
sin has broken. 'Being justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ.' Romans 5:1. Whoever con-
sents to renounce sin and open his heart to
the love of Christ, becomes a partaker of
this heavenly
peace."—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
page 27.
2.
What additional blessing does
the believer receive through Jesus
Christ? What two attitudes should
characterize the justified person? Rom.
5:2-4.
3.
What does
this hope bring to
us? Rom. 5:5.
NorE.—"When trials and tribulations
come to you know that they are sent in
order that you may receive from the Lord
of glory renewed strength and increased
humility, so that He may safely bless and
support and uphold you. In faith and with
the hope that `maketh not ashamed,' lay
hold of the promises of God."—Ellen G.
White,
My Life Today,
page 185.
The Supreme Manifestation
of Love
4.
How did God set in favorable
light His love for us? Rom. 5:6-8.
NOTE.—"Withdut
strength:
.
In the
Greek the word used here is frequently ap-
plied to those Who are physically sick and
NorE.—Christ's death on the cross en-
sures the believer's justification. This wipes
out his past up to the moment he believes.
From that moment, says Paul, "we shall
be saved by His life." Justification does
not abolish the warfare with sin. Life is a
daily battle. The believer fails, he sins.
But he can thank God that when he sin-
cerely confesses his mistakes, he is credited
with the perfect life of Jesus Christ. Thus
he is saved moment by moment, day by
day, and finally eternally saved, because in
his daily growth in sanctification, he re-
ceives the merit of Christ's perfect obedi-
ence to His Father's will.
"Reconciliation means that every barrier
between the soul and God is removed, and
that the sinner realizes what the pardoning
love of God means."—E. G. White,
Selected
Messages,
book 1, page 396.
6. Give the cause of the believer's
rejoicing in God, and the name of
the agent who has made this possible.
Rom. 5:11.
NoTE.—"Christ's sacrifice in behalf of
man was full and complete. The condition
of the atonement had been fulfilled. The
work for which He had come to this world
had been accomplished."—The
Acts of the
Apostles,
page 29.
The believer is fully reconciled to the
Father. There is now no gulf of separation
between -them,
them, for the justified one has
benefited by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
i4
GOO'S LOVE FOREVER BREAKS THE. BARRIER
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND THE SINN
ER
Death Superseded by Life
7.
What experience came to the
world through the sin of Adam?
Rom. 5:12.
Nom.—"Adam could not transmit to his
posterity that which he did not possess; and
there could have been no hope _for the
fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice
of His Son, brought immortality within
their reach. While 'death passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned,' Christ `hath
brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel.'
"—The Great Contro-
versy,
page 533.
8.
What is the relation between sin
and law? Rom. 5:13, 14.
Nom.—The expression, "for until the
law," gives the chief characteristic of the
period between Adam and Moses. The
principles of the law were known; but the
Ten Commandments had not been written
down and publicly presented as a legal doc-
ument; this period between Adam and Si-
nai was devoid of written, codified law.
The apostle continues, "Sin is not imputed
when there is no law."
"Sinned not after the likeness of Adam's
transgression." Adam sinned against a per-
sonally revealed commandment. His de-
scendants up to the time of Sinai did not
so sin. Adam violated a positive, personally
delivered command; his children walked
contrary to an inner consciousness of right
and wrong, and to external evidence.
9.
Through whom did God medi-
ate His grace to mankind, and with
what results? Rom. 5:15-17.
Nom.—Our generic, vital life union with
Adam brought condemnation to the hu-
man race in his one sin; but the gift of God
through Jesus Christ "superabounded"
(King James Version, "abounded"), so that
justification is given despite the many sins
of each sinner who believes. Death personi-
fied began to reign from the moment of
Adam's sin; each believer begins to live the
eternal life the moment be accepts Christ.
John 3:15; 5:21. "The gift of righteous-
ness" is the gift that is righteousness itself.
10.
What comparison of verse 12
does the apostle now begin to com-
plete? Rom. 5:18, 19.
Nom.—In verse 12 the apostle speaks of
the entrance of sin and death through one
man; now, (verse 18) he begins to com-
plete that thought with "therefore," etc. He
sets forth the "one act of righteousness," a
reference to Christ's death on the cross
which brought the permanent result of
justification made free to all who will ac-
cept it.
Verse 19 tells us, literally, that by one
man's sin many were classified as sinners,
for the reason given in verse 12. The
contrast is that by reason of Christ's "obe-
dience" many shall
be
declared righteous.
But while the first classification was generic,
the second is individual. All men are nat-
urally, vitally, one with Adam, but only
the believer is morally and spiritually one
with Christ.
Abounding Grace
11.
How is the triumph of grace
expressed? Rom. 5:20, 21.
[ 16 ].
Nora.—The apostle's argument is that
the law was codified and presented on Si
nai that men might know sin to be the
wicked thing it really is. The law was not
given to prevent a falling away from God,
for that had already taken place; but it
makes plain the character of sin, it re-
veals it for what it is. Neither was the law
given to effect salvation from sin, for it has
no such function. It can give no power to
overcome sin, is not able to impart spiritual
life and vitality. God's intention in giving
the law to reveal the character of sin the
more clearly, results in His causing His
grace to abound superabundantly.
12. What inference and reply does
the apostle put before the believers?
Rom. 6:1, 2.
NoTE.—The sixth chapter continues the
effects of justification. Paul asks if the
inference is to be drawn that the believer
should continue in sin because to do so
would cause divine grace to abound more
and more exceedingly. He vehemently re-
jects the idea. He asks, "How can we"—
he emphasizes the pronoun—"who have
been justified, and have peace in our
hearts (Rom. 5:1), continue in a life of
sin as we once did?" The Christian life
is to be a progressively victorious one in
daily sanctification, and not a perpetual
sinning in an unsanctified life.
13.
What does the apostle say
about death and resurrection? Rom.
6:3-7.
NOTE.—Baptism
is a figure of the death
of the believer to sin. Then, having been
buried with Christ (here referring to our
having died with Him), we also rise with
Him in newness of life. Christ was raised
by "the glory of the Father" (meaning the
exercise of His divine, glorious power), so
that we might begin to walk in a new
kind of life.
14.
If we have become dead to sin,
to whom should we be alive? Rom.
6:8-11.
NoTE.—The intent of Paul's statement is,
that as Christ's resurrection followed His
crucifixion, so the believer's daily growth in
sanctification will naturally follow his justi-
fication. The expression, "we shall also
live," is not primarily speaking of a physi-
cal resurrection at the second coming, but
should be applied to the newness of life
referred to in verses 2 and 4.
Lesson 5, for January 31, 1959
Christ Jesus the Only Deliverer From Sin
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:12 to 7:25.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God,
ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." Roman 6:22.
STUDY HELPS: "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 6:12 to
7:25; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 15.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Study Helps.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Wednesday: Questions 9-11.
Monday: Questions 4-6; learn the
Thursday: Questions
12-14...
Memory Verse.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Tuesday:
Questions 7,
8; read from
[16
1
Lesson Outline
I. Dominion of Sin Broken
1.
Sin not to reign. Rom. 6:12, 13.
2.
A wonderful promise. Rom. 6:14.
3.
Choice of servitude. Rom. 6:15, 16.
II. A Change of Masters and Wages
4.
Cause of thanksgiving. Rom. 6:
17, 18.
5.
From servants of sin to servants
of God. Rom. 6:19-22.
6.
The wages of sin and the gift of
God. Rom. 6:23.
III. Illustrated by the Law of Marriage
7.
Marriage law binding for life.
Rom. 7:1-3.
8.
Illustration applied. Rom. 7:4, 5.
IV. Conclusions Concerning the Law
9.
Is the law therefore sin? Rom.
7:6-8.
10.
Evaluation of the law. Rom.
7:9-12.
11.
Carnal nature in conflict with
the law. Rom. 7:13-16.
V. A Spiritual Conflict
12.
No good is resident in the flesh.
Rom. 7:17-20.
13.
A clash of laws. Rom. 7:21-23.
14.
Deliverance. Rom. 7:24, 25.
THE LESSON
NorE.-This verse gives us the precious
promise that sin shall not be allowed to
continue to rule over us. The reason is that
due to faith in Christ's atoning death on
the cross and the believer's crucifixion with
Him (Gal. 2:20), the penalty demanded
by the law has been discharged; therefore
believers are not subject to the law's domi-
nation as condemnatory, retributive, and
punitive. In contrast, the believer is now
under grace; that is, he is the subject of
God's gracious kindness, and He imparts
the spiritual dynamic that enables His
child to conquer sin, to live the victorious
life. Law condemns sin in the sinner, and
therefore hopelessly puts him under its
bondage; God's grace breaks the power of
sin by filling the believer with the power
of the Holy Spirit, thereby placing him
under grace so that he may live in har-
mony with God's law.
3. What effect on one's life do his
choices have? Rom. 6:15, 16.
NorE.-"To continue in the indulgence
of sin after accepting the pardoning and
transforming grace of God is to deny the
very purpose of that
grace."-The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom.
6:15.
Dominion of Sin Broken
1.
What should not be allowed to
reign in our physical body? To whom
should the believer be fully sur-
rendered? Rom. 6:12, 13.
NorE.-"The lower passions have their
seat in the body and work through it. The
words 'flesh' or 'fleshly' or 'carnal lusts'
embrace the lower, corrupt nature; the flesh
of itself cannot act contrary to the will of
God. We are commanded to crucify the
flesh, with the affections and lusts. How
shall we do it? Shall we inflict pain on the
body? No; but put to death the tempta-
tion to sin. The corrupt thought is to be
expelled. Every thought is to be brought
into captivity to Jesus Christ. All animal
propensities are to be subjected to the
higher powers of the soul. The love of God
must reign supreme; Christ must occupy
an undivided throne. Our bodies are to be
regarded as His purchased possession. The
members of the body are to become the
instruments of righteousness."-The
Ad-
ventist Home,
pages 127, 128.
2.
What wonderful promise is
given to the believer? Rom. 6:14.
[ 17 ]
A Change of Masters and Wages
4.
In what did the apostle find oc-
casion for thanksgiving? Rom. 6:
17, 18.
NoTE.—"The righteousness which Christ
taught is conformity of heart and life to
the revealed will of God. Sinful men can
become righteous only as they have faith
in God and maintain a vital connection
with Him.. Then true godliness will ele-
vate the thoughts and ennoble the life.
Then the external forms of religion accord
with the Christian's internal purity."--
The Desire, of Ages,
page 310.
5.
How does Paul further describe
the deliverance wrought in the life
of the believer? Rom. 6:19-22.
NoTE.—"Holiness.
Gr.
hagiasmos,
fre-
quently translated 'sanctification' (1 Cor.
1:30; 1 Thess. 4:3, 4; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pe-
ter 1:2). . . . Here
hagiasmos
probably
denotes the progressive work of sanctifica-
tion.
"Sanctification is a continuous process of
consecration (see Eph. 4:12-15; 2 Peter 1:
5-10). It is the harmonious development
day by day of the physical, mental, and
spiritual powers, until the image of God,
in which we were originally created, is re-
stored in
us."—The Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 6:19.
6.
What striking difference in re-
wards is given in verse 23?
NoTE.—Wages is pay given for labor.
The word Paul uses is that of a soldier's
pay. The wages that sin commands is paid
in full, even eternal death. This is fitting,
for there is a terrible warfare in progress
between the forces of good and evil.
"Christ gave Himself for us that He
might redeem us from all iniquity. And as
the crowning blessing of salvation, 'the gift
of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord.'
"—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 519.
Illustrated by the Law of Marriage
7.
In speaking to the Roman Chris-
tians about law, what illustration does
the apostle use? Rom. 7:1-3.
NOTE.—It is a mistake to hold that Paul
is speaking of an allegorical death; this is
not an allegory, but an illustration. The
apostle is stating that the law holds onto
a person until death interposes, then death
ends the connection.
8.
What conclusion does Paul draw
from the application of his illustra-
tion? Rom. 7:4, 5.
NOTE.—"By the body of Christ.
Liter-
ally, 'through the body of Christ,' that is,
through the sacrificial death of Christ (see
Eph. 2:15; Col. 1:22; 1 Peter 2:24). Into
this death the believer is baptized (Rom.
6:4), and by thus participating in Christ's
death to sin and law, as explained in ch. 6,
the believer may regard his old self as dead
to the things to which he once was cap-
tive.. . .
"Bring forth fruit.
The symbolism of
this chapter closely parallels that of ch. 6.
The 'old man' is the first husband. The
crucifixion of the 'old man' (ch. 6:6) is the
death of the husband. The resurrection to
new life (ch. 6:5, 11) is the remarriage.
In each case the final outcome is the bear-
ing of fruit unto God, the fruit of a re-
formed life (ch.
6:22)."—The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,. on
Rom. 7:4.
Conclusions Concerning the Law
9.
What is the apostle's conclusion
in respect to the law? Rom. 7:6-8.
NOTE.—In
newness of spirit.
"It is to be
`in the Spirit's newness;' on the new, won-
derful principle, new in its full manifesta-
tion and application in Christ, of the Holy
Ghost's empowering presence. In that light
and strength the new relations are dis-
covered, accepted, and fulfilled. Joined by
the Spirit to the Lord Christ, so as to have
[ 18 ]
THE PRESCRIPTION THAT
DESTROYS THE VIRUS OF SIN
15 THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.
1059-5
full benefit of His justifying merit; filled
by the Spirit with the Lord Christ, so as to
derive freely and always the blessed vir-
tues of His life; the willing bondservant
finds in his absolute obligations an inward
liberty ever
'new,'
fresh as the dawn, preg-
nant as the spring."—The
Expositor's Bi-
ble,
on Rom. 7:6.
10.
How does Paul evaluate the
law? Rom. 7:9-12.
Nom.—The one married to Christ is
happy; he is not under condemnation; he
finds the law to be life to him as he brings
forth spiritual fruit in holy living by the
power of the Holy Spirit. The law is still
holy, just, and good.
11.
How does Paul set forth the
conflict of the carnal nature and a
good law? Rom. 7:13-16.
NoTE.—"It is impossible for us, of our-
selves, to, escape from the pit of sin in
which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil,
and we cannot change them. 'Who can
bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not
one.' The carnal mind is enmity against
God: for it is not subject to the law of
God, neither indeed can be.' Job 14:4;
Rom. 8:7. Education, culture, the exer-
cise of the will, human effort, all have their
proper sphere, but here they are powerless.
They may produce an outward correctness
of behavior, but they cannot change the
heart; they cannot purify the springs of
life. There must be a power working from
within, a new life from above, before men
can be changed from sin to holiness. That
power is Christ. His grace alone can
quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul,
and attract it to God, to holiness."—Steps
to Christ,
page 18.
A Spiritual Conflict
12.
What conflict often occurs in
the life of a professed Christian? Rom.
7:17-20.
NOTE.—The converted man, despite spir-
itual lapses, testifies that the law is good,
morally excellent. He does not hate the
law as does the unconverted man, devoted
to sin.. The .Christian's conflict is not be-
tween the law and himself, but between
himself and the sin the law condemns. The
law claims to be holy, just, and good. The
conscience of the Christian agrees with
that testimony, and upholds the claim of
the law. Only a converted man is able to
have such attitudes in respect to the law.
The apostle is looking back to his state-
ment in verse 15, and shows that the
sinning he describes there is not the unin-
hibited, unresisted, and consistent sinning
of the unconverted person, but the occa-
sional falling that is hated and mourned
for. It is, nevertheless, sin.
13.
In respect to fallen, weak hu-
man nature, of what was Paul fully
aware? Rom. 7:21-23.
NorE.—"The man who separates from
God that he may serve himself, is the
slave of mammon. The mind that God
created for the companionship of angels,
has become degraded to the service of that
which is earthly and bestial."—Christ's
Ob-
ject Lessons,
page 201.
The apostle speaks of the fleshly mem-
19 l
bers in which the remnants of sin cause
trouble. He is not speaking of the inner
man which is in process of sanctification,
and which utterly detests sin. Compare
Rom. 6:19. In his "flesh" dwells no good
thing; but the Holy Spirit "dwells" in his
heart. John 14:17; Rom. 8:1; 1 Cor. 6:19.
There are two principles in him. As a
Christian a holy principle sits enthroned
in his heart, the dominant principle; yet
the remnants of sin as an activating princi-
ple, an impulse to evil, are inherent in his
members (verse 23). Asa converted man,
the holy principle is dominant; for two
dominant
opposing principles cannot exist
in the heart of a man at one and the same
time.
14. To whom did Paul look for
deliverance? Rom. 7:24, 25.
Lesson 6, for February 7, 1959
Walking With Christ
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Romans 8.
MEMORY VERSE: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:1.
STUDY HELPS: "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans, chap-
ter 8; Lesson Help in "Review and Her ald" of January 22.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey;
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 7-10.
'
learn Memory Verse.
Wednesday: Questions 11-14.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
III. Heritage of the Christian
I. A Spiritual Walk
1.
Freedom from condemnation. Rom.
8:1, 2.
2.
Righteousness wrought by the
Spirit. Rom. 8:3-5.
3.
Not possible in man's natural
state. Rom. 8:6-8.
II. Accomplished by Indwelling Spirit
4.
Spirit is life. Rom. 8:9, 10.
5.
Spirit quickens, Rom. 8:11.
6.
Mortifies deeds of the flesh. Rom.
8:12, 13.
7.
Sons of God. Rom. 8:14, 15.
8.
Children and heirs. Rom. 8:16, 17.
9.
Sufferings transcendent in glory.
Rom. 8:18.
10.
An expectant creation. Rom.
8:19-23.
IV. Assurance of Hope
11.
Place and function of hope.
Rom. 8:24, 25.
12.
Spirit's intercession. Rom. 8:26, 27.
13.
Complete provision for the called
of God. Rom. 8:28-32.
14.
More than conquerors through
Christ. Rom. 8:33-39.
[ 20 ]
A Spiritual Walk
TFIE LESSON
generate human nature to live in har-
mony with God? Rom. 8:6-8.
1.
How is the principle for the new
life described? Rom. 8:1, 2.
NorE.—"It is our privilege to go to Je-
sus and be cleansed, and to stand before the
law without shame or remorse. [Rom. 8:1
quoted]."—Steps
to Christ,
page 51.
Here we have the Agent behind the new
principle that is dominant in the converted
man, namely, the Holy Spirit. "The law
of the Spirit of life," is an expression that
means the operative force of the Holy
Spirit, the effect of which is spiritual and
eternal life. Compare 1 John 5:12. It is
the same as "the law of my mind" (Rom.
7:23) and "the inward man" (Rom. 7:22).
The operating spiritual principle from the
Holy Spirit energizes a man so that he be-
comes free from that principle that oper-
ates in his members, and which results in
death. In both cases an inward principle is
referred to. The domination of sin is de-
stroyed; and the final battle against sin in
the members will be victorious.
2.
How can righteousness be
achieved? Rom. 8:3-5.
Nom—That which the law found im-
possible to 'do was both to condemn sin,
and also to give strength to the sinner to
fulfill the Lawgiver's demands.
This dou-
ble function was quite beyond the law. It
could condemn the sin, but could not save
the sinner. The reason is given: not that
the law was weak of itself, but that man's
nature was weak and irresolute. There-
fore God sent Jesus Christ, who, in respect
to sin, judicially condemned that very sin
(Paul uses the definite article) which had
enthroned itself in men's hearts.
"Satan had hoped that God's abhorrence
of evil would bring an eternal separation
between heaven and earth. But now it was
manifest that the connection between God
and man had been restored."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 116.
3.
Why is it impossible for unre-
NOTE.—The apostle literally says, "Be-
cause the thought of the flesh [i.e., the car-
nal nature] is hostility toward God." This
is a very enlightening description of sin: the
hostility is directed against God. The apos-
tle continues: "It is not subject to the law
of God, neither indeed can be." Compare
1 Cor. 2:14.
"We have great victories to gain, and a
heaven to lose if we do not, gain them. The
carnal heart must be crucified; for its ten-
dency is to moral corruption, and the end
thereof is death. Nothing but the life-giving
influences of the gospel can help the soul."
—Testimonies, vol. 5,
p.
267.
Accomplished by Indwelling Spirit
4.
In what way does. Paul contrast
the old way of life with the new life
in Christ? Rom. 8:9, 10.
Nom.—Paul is telling the Roman Chris-
tians that they are not unregenerate men,
dominated by carnal desires, but on the
contrary, they are living in the sphere of a
regenerated human spirit, "if indeed" (as
he believed was true of them), "the Spirit
of God dwells in you." The human spirit
cannot regenerate itself; that is why the
apostle uses the present tense: "If indeed
the Spirit of God
continues
to dwell in
you." Santification can come no other way.
"If Christ be in you," Paul now says,
making it evident that where one Person
of the Godhead dwells, there also the oth-
ers dwell. The Holy Spirit comes from the
Father (Acts 1:4) ; He is given in Christ
(Rom. 8:2) ; He does not speak of Him-
self (John 16:13) ; He speaks of teachings
of Christ (John 14:26).
5.
How is the life-giving power of
the Spirit expressed? Rom. 8:11.
NorE.—The first part of verse 11 gives
us the longest title of the Holy Spirit that
[21]
LIGHT FROM THE SIN BEARER
SHIELDS THE CHILD OF
GOD
hwim
FROM ACCUSERS AND EVILSPEAKERS.
1059 -6
exists in the Bible: "The Spirit of Him that
raised up Jesus from the dead." In this we
have depicted the three Persons of the
Godhead. This verse tells us that the last
enemy, death, shall be finally destroyed.
Compare 1 Cor. 15:51-56.
6.
What contrasting ways of life
are set forth? Who is the spiritual
energizer? Rom. 8:12, 13.
NOTE.—"Whatever professions of spirit-
ual life we may make, it remains forever
true that, if we live according to the flesh,
we shall die (see Gal. 6:7, 8; Eph. 5:5, 6;
Phil. 3:18, 19; 1 John 3:7, 8). Either our
sins must die or we must. If they are al-
lowed to live, we shall die. If they are put
to death, we shall be saved. No man can
be saved in his sins."—The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom.
8:13.
Heritage of the Christian
7.
Who are designated as sons of
God? Rom. 8:14, 15.
NoTE.—"The law reveals to man his sins,
but it provides no remedy. While it prom-
ises life to the obedient, it declares that
death is the portion of the transgressor.
The gospel of Christ alone can free him
from the condemnation or the defilement
of sin. He must exercise repentance to-
ward God, whose law has been trans-
gressed; and faith in Christ, his atoning
sacrifice. Thus he obtains 'remission of
sins that are past' and becomes a partaker
of the divine nature. He is a child of God,
having received the spirit of adoption,
whereby he cries: `Abba, Father !'
"—The
Great Controversy,
pages 467, 468.
8.
What experiences do the chil-
dren of God share with Christ? Rom.
8:16, 17.
NoTE.—"Jesus Christ has given Himself
as a complete offering in behalf of every
fallen son and daughter of Adam. 0 what
humiliation He bore! How He descended,
step after step, lower and lower in the path
of humiliation, yet He never degraded His
soul with one foul blot of sin! All this He
suffered, that He might lift you up, cleanse,
refine, and ennoble you, and place you as a
joint heir with Himself upon His throne."
—Fundamentals of Christian Education,
page 251.
9.
With what does the apostle con-
trast suffering? Rom. 8:18.
NoTE.—"Through trial and persecution
the glory—the character—of God is re-
vealed in His chosen ones. The believers in
Christ, hated and persecuted by the world,
are educated and disciplined in the school
of Christ. On earth they walk in narrow
paths; they are purified in the furnace of
affliction. They follow Christ through sore
conflicts; they endure self-denial and ex-
perience bitter disappointments; but thus
they learn the guilt and woe of sin, and
they look upon it with abhorrence. Being
partakers of Christ's sufferings, they can
look beyond the gloom to the glory, saying,
`I reckon that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with
the glory which shall be revealed in us.' "
—The Acts of the Apostles,
pages 576, 577.
10.
For what does all creation
wait? Rom. 8:19-23.
[ 22 ]
Nom—Creation is waiting for the re-
vealing of the sons of God; with them it
looks for final deliverance. Creation, with
believing men, is to be made free from
that "bondage" which is corruption itself.
The apostle uses a word that means not
only physical corruption and deterioration,
but also moral and spiritual declension and
death. It is a lack of understanding that
causes one to speak of the end of the
world as meaning destruction. The world,
the cosmos, will not pass away, but will be
carried into a glorious future by a new act
of creation. It is only the present "fashion"
(1 Cor. 7:31) or scheme of things that will
pass away, accomplished by means of a
purifying fire (2 Peter 3:10).
Assurance of Hope
11.
While waiting for the redemp-
tion of the physical body, what atti-
tude should the Christian maintain?
Rom. 8:24, 25.
Nom—The apostle's word for "patience"
here is one that literally means "remaining
under," and the term "wait" is the same
one as used in verse 19; so there is the
idea of remaining steadfast under the trials
of this life. The word "patience" suggests
circumstances to be met that demand pa-
tience on the believer's part, and continu-
ing to wait for them in joyful expectation
of the final end promised by God.
12.
What divine intercession is
provided for the child of God? Rom.
8:26, 27.
NOTE.—"We must not only pray in
Christ's name, but by the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit. This explains what is meant
when it is said that the Spirit `maketh in-
tercession for us, with groanings which
cannot be uttered.' Rom. 8:26. Such prayer
God delights to answer. When with ear-
nestness and intensity we breathe a prayer
in the name of Christ, there is in that very
a
-
intensify - pledge from God that He is
about to answer our prayer 'exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think.'
Eph.
3:20."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page
147.
13.
What assurances are given
God's people for times of adversity?
Rom. 8:28-32.
NoTE.—For the one who loves God,—
and this is the only verse in Romans that
speaks of our love for God,—and for him
only, the adverse circumstances of this life
will finally end in everlasting good. The
trials of life do not frustrate the believer,
but under God's hands are made to further
His designs.
14.
Through whom is victory as-
sured? Rom. 8:33-39.
NoTE.—"The souls that turn to Him for
refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and
the strife of tongues. No man or evil an-
gel can impeach these souls. Christ unites
them to His own divine-human nature.
They stand beside the great Sin Bearer, in
the light proceeding from the throne of
God."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 568.
Lesson 7, for February 14, 1959
God Vindicated in Dealing With Jew and Gentile
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 9.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For He saith to Moses,
I
will have mercy on whom I will have
mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
Rom. 9:15.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans, chap-
ter 9; Lesson Help in "Review and. Herald" of January 29.
[ 23 ]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Memory Verse.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; learn
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Who Are Israelites?
1. How earnestly did Paul state his
concern for Israel? Rom. 9:1-3.
Lesson Outline
I. Who Are Israelites?
1.
Apostle's concern for his people.
Rom. 9:1-3.
2.
The privileges of the Jews. Rom.
9:4, 5.
3.
God's purpose not a failure. Rom.
9:6, 7, first part.
II. The True Seed
4.
Children of promise.
Rom.
9:7
(last part), 8, 9.
5.
Jacob and Esau. Rom. 9:10, 11.
6.
God's purpose and call. Rom. 9:
12, 13.
III. God's Sovereignty and Long-
Suffering
7.
God's mercy emphasized. Rom.
9:14-16.
8.
Example of Pharaoh. Rom. 9:
17, 18.
9.
God's purpose revealed. Rom.
9:19-23.
IV. God's Purpose Embraces Both
Jew and Gentile
10.
Gentiles included in purpose
of
God. Rom. 9:24-26.
11.
Jewish remnant. Rom. 9:27-29.
12.
Contrasting experience of Gentile
and Jew. Rom. 9:30, 31.
13.
Reason for Israel's failure. Rom.
9:32, 33.
THE LESSON
3.
What proof is given that God's
purpose had not failed? Rom.
9:6,
7, first part.
NoTE.-Paul could not but be fully cog-
nizant of the hostility of his people. They
followed him from place to place and
sought to disrupt and ruin his work; they
even tried to murder him. Yet his heart
was filled with love for them. His Master
had wept over Jerusalem; Paul wept over
her people.
The apostle's actual words are those of
a
suppressed condition, meaning, "If it were
possible for my people to be saved by my
being offered up for their sakes, then I
would be willing to make that sacrifice; but
I know that it is impossible."
NorE.-"Paul's meaning is that not all
who are descended from Israel really belong
to Israel in the full spiritual significance of
that name. His purpose in making this
statement is to explain how the word of
God to Israel has not failed. The fulfillment
of God's promise is limited to those who
meet the conditions of the covenant rela-
tion. For this faithful and obedient rem-
nant the word of God will not
fail."-The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 9:6.
The True Seed
2. What privileges of the Jews does
Paul enumerate? Rom. 9:4, 5.
4. Who are shown to be the true
seed? Rom. 9:7 (last part), 8, 9.
[ 24 ]
NoTE.—"The Jews had misinterpreted•
God's promise of eternal favor to Israel:
[Jer. 31:35-37 quoted]. The Jews regarded
their natural descent from Abraham as giv-
ing them a claim to this promise. But they
overlooked the conditions which God had
specified. Before giving the promise, He
had said, 'I will put My law in their in-
ward parts, and write it in their hearts;
and will be their God, and they shall be
My people. . . . For I will forgive their
iniquity, and I will remember their sin no
more.' Jer. 31:33,
34."—The Desire of
Ages,
page 106.
5.
What other characters are given
as illustrations? How does Paul state
that God's purpose was altogether
according to promise? Rom. 9:10, 11.
NoTE.—The selection of Jacob was made
before he and his brother were born. This
completely rules out the claims of natural
birth and natural merit. Nothing is done
according to whim and caprice; nothing of
salvation is based on works. The patriar-
chal succession could not be decided and
carried on by works carried out. It would
have to be according to God's choice, as
He sees the end from the beginning. He
knows all the facts before they come into
existence. There are no imponderables
with God. The carrying out of God's will
in respect to the patriarchal succession did
not exclude Ishmael and Esau from exer-
cising personal faith to salvation. Neither
does it exclude their descendants.
6.
What was to be the relationship
between the two brothers? By what
human terms is God's attitude de-
scribed? Rom. 9:12, 13.
NoTE.—God told Rebekah that the older
brother should serve the younger. Gen. 25:
23. "This prediction was not literally ful-
filled in the case of Jacob and Esau them-
selves, but it was in the later history of
their descendants. . . .
"Jacob have I loved.
This verse does not
explain the reason for God's choice of Ja-
cob and His rejection of Esau. Rather, it
describes the history of the two sons and
of the two peoples descended from them,
Israel and Edom. That the descendants as
well as the ancestors are included is quite
'apparent from the context of Mal. 1:2, 3."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
,ntentary,
on Rom. 9:
12, 13.
God's Sovereignty and
Long-Suffering
7.
How is God's mercy empha-
sized? Rom. 9:14-16.
NoTE.—God is sovereign in the exercise
of His powers. A divine attribute that He
exhibits is His compassionate mercy. While
God has complete freedom of choice in the
bestowal of His favors, that fact must not
lead one to think there is any injustice
with Him, for He does all in harmony with
the divine understanding. The apostle
speaks of the experience of Israel when they
sinned so terribly in worshiping the golden
calf in the desert. Even after so fearful a
breach of loyalty to God, He nevertheless
showed very great mercies. Had there
been no divine mercy, there could have
been no future bestowal of any blessing
at all. There is freedom and independence
in the divine choice ; there is also freedom
and independence in man's choice to exer-
cise faith or not to exercise it. There is the
certainty of divine grace for each indi-
vidual who exercises it.
8.
What is revealed in God's deal-
ing with Pharaoh? Rom. 9:17, 18.
NOTE.—The experience of Pharaoh is an
example of that which befell the Jews.
Pharaoh persisted in hardening his heart;
he set himself in opposition to God's plans.
Yet God allowed him to continue in his
kingship; and He carried out His plan for
the deliverance of Israel despite the fact
that Pharaoh was the kind of person he
was. In that experience both the sover-
eignty and righteousness of God are plain.•
Verse 18 emphasizes the will of God as
supreme. Pharaoh did not desire God's
mercy; he was in opposition to His will.
The Jews, in their hardness of heart, even
25
THE CHRISTIAN NEED NOT FEAR
THE FUTURE. "THERE ARE NO
IMPONDERABLES WITH
GOD."
,05-9-7 •
crucified the Lord of glory. With both
Pharaoh and the Jewish nation, the work
of God in hardening their hearts consisted
in His leaving them in their determined
course • of opposition. The apostle has now
cited two prominent names: Moses (verse
15), and Pharaoh (verse 17), two natural
antagonists. In His dealings with these two
men, divine graciouSness and divine mercy
are exhibited, and thereby divine sover-
eignty.
9.
What further illustration is used
by Paul to stress God's sovereignty?
How has God made known the riches
of His glory? Rom. 9:19-23.
NoTE.—"The potter takes the clay in his
hands and molds and fashions it according
to his own will. He kneads it and works
it. He tears it apart and then presses it
together. He wets it and then dries it. He
lets it lie for a while without touching it.
When it is perfectly pliable, he continues
the work of making of it a vessel. He
forms it into shape and on the wheel
trims and polishes it. He dries it in the
sun and bakes it in the oven. Thus it be-
comes a vessel fit for use. So the great
Master Worker desires to mold and fashion
us. And as the clay is in the hands of the
potter, so are we to be in His hands. We
are not to try to do the work of the pot-
ter. Our part is to yield ourselves to the
molding of the Master Worker."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 8, pp. 186, 187.
God's Purpose Embraces Both
Jew and Gentile
10.
How does Paul prove that Gen-
tiles are included in the purposes of
grace? Rom. 9:24-26. Compare Ho-
sea 1:10; 2:23.
NoTE.—The apostle quotes from the Sep-
tuagint in setting forth the sovereignty of
God in relation to Israel when they showed
such great stubbornness. The end for the
ten tribes of the northern kingdom was
deportation to Assyria in 722 B.C. This,
however, was not the end of the matter, for
a remnant would be saved who would be
called "sons of the living God." These
"sons" would be from among the Jews and
those Gentiles where Israel lived as a scat-
tered people. The quotation from Hosea
1:10 refers to the spiritual children of the
promise made to Abraham. A universal
church would supersede the Jewish na-
tional church.
11.
What had Isaiah said about
the remnant? Rom. 9:27-29.
NoTE.—The apostle is quoting Isaiah 10:
22; 23. The King James Version says, "For
He will finish the 'work." Paul literally
says, "For the Lord will carry out His word
upon the earth, concluding it and cutting
it short." What God sets His hand to do
He will bring to a conclusion decisively,
which is the meaning of cutting it short.
In dealing with these vessels of wrath, God
is able to save some even of them. It is
not, however, that Gentiles believe and
become members of a revivified Jewish
church, but that Jews exercise faith and
become members of the Christian church.
12.
What is God's basis in dealing
with both Jew and Gentile? Rom.
9:30, 31.
NOTE.—"While the law is holy, the Jews
could not attain righteousness by their own
[26]
efforts to keep the law. The disciples of
Christ must obtain righteousness of a dif-
ferent character from that of the Pharisees,
if they would enter the kingdom of heaven.
God offered them, in His Son, the perfect
righteousness of the law. If they would
open their hearts fully to receive Christ,
then the very life of God, His love, would
dwell in them, transforming them into His
own likeness; and thus through God's free
gift they would possess the righteousness
which the law requires."-Thoughts
From
the Mount of Blessing,
pages 54, 55.
13. What was the chief reason for
Israel's failure? Rom. 9:32, 33.
NOTE.
-"That
stumbling stone.
Literally,
`the stone of stumbling.' The offense was,
of course, not in the stone but in the at-
titude of those to whom it became a cause
of stumbling. 'Christ crucified' was a 'stum-
bling block' to the Jews, but the 'power'
and 'wisdom of God' to those who are
called (1 Cor. 1:23, 24). He is a stumbling
stone to those who are faithless and diso-
bedient, but precious to those who believe
(1 Peter 2:7, 8). . . .
"Shall not be ashamed. . . .
The emphasis
is upon the sure confidence that comes to
the one who puts his faith in Christ."-
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Rom. 9:32.
Lesson 8, for February 21, 1959
Righteousness by Faith an Old Testament Principle
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 10:1 to 11:10.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone
that believeth." Rom.
10:4.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 10:1 to
11:10; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 5.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Wednesday: Questions 10-14.
Monday: Questions 4-6; learn
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
Memory Verse.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
I. A Jewish Fallacy
1.
Paul's desire for Israel. Rom. 10:1.
2.
Zealous but ignorant. Rom. 10:2, 3.
3.
Failed to see Christ. Rom. 10:4.
II. Salvation for All Who Believe
4.
Moses' declaration. Rom. 10:5-7.
5.
Saving faith. Rom. 10:8-11.
6.
For all who call. Rom. 10:12, 13.
III. Basis of Faith
7. Hearing and believing the word.
Rom. 10:14, 15, 17.
8.
This basis rejected by Israel.
Rom. 10:16, 18.
9.
Israel's lack of comprehension.
Rom. 10 : 19-21.
IV. The Election of Grace
10.
Paul's own experience. Rom. 11:
1, 2, first part.
11.
Elijah's experience cited. Rom.
11:2-4.
12.
By grace, not works. Rom.
11:5, 6.
13.
The failure of Israel. Rom. 11:7, 8.
14.
David's testimony. Rom. 11:
9, 10.
[ 27
THE LESSON
NOTE.—Moses wrote on the righteous-
ness that is derived from the law. A man
must do the law, without a single break, to
derive any benefit in respect to righteous-
ness. In speaking of the righteousness de-
rived from faith, Paul states the sense of
Deuteronomy 30:11-14. That is, one does
not need to climb up into heaven to bring
the commandment down. It is here now
in God's word, as it is in the gospel, and
thus in one's heart. Further, the rigllteous-
ness of faith is in association with a Christ
who descended from heaven, who was
resurrected from the dead, and ascended
again to heaven. Rom. 10:6, 7. Both Jew
and Gentile need only to believe this of Je-
sus Christ to receive the righteousness that
is of faith. Personal endeavors to ascend
to heaven to bring down a transcript of
God's will, or to descend into the grave to
seek a resurrection from the dead, are but
works in which there is no merit, and no
righteousness. The incarnate, resurrected
Jesus is our righteousness.
5. What was the word or message
preached by Paul? Rom. 10:8-11.
A Jewish Fallacy
1.
What was the apostle's desire
for his people? Rom. 10:1.
NoTE.—"It was no ordinary desire that
the apostle felt. Constantly he was peti-
tioning God to work in behalf of the Is-
raelites who had failed to recognize Jesus
of Nazareth as the promised Messiah."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 374.
2.
Although possessed of zeal, of
what were the Jews ignorant? Rom.
10:2, 3.
NoTE.—"The Jews had been wearily toil-
ing to reach perfection by their own efforts,
and they had failed. Christ had already
told them that their righteousness could
never enter the kingdom of heaven. Now
He points out to them the character of the
righteousness that all who enter heaven will
possess. Throughout the Sermon on the
Mount He describes its fruits, and now in
one sentence He points out its source and
its nature: Be perfect as God is perfect."—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 77.
3.
Whom did they fail to see? Rom.
10:4.
NoTE.—To seek to establish a personal
righteousness is to reject the righteousness
of Christ. Verse 4 tells us plainly that our
righteousness must be that of Christ, for
He is the acme, the aim, the supreme point
and enlargement of the law; all law meets
its complete purpose in Him. The ideal in
conduct is Jesus Christ. We receive His
righteousness by faith according to God's
grace, and not by legalistic endeavors. In
this we follow Abraham's example.
Salvation for All Who Believe
4.
What words of an Old Testa-
ment prophet does Paul quote? Rom.
10:5-7.
NOTE.—"The word of faith.
That is, the
gospel message concerning faith. This is
the only occurrence of this expression in the
NT. The word which Moses describes as
`very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in
thy heart, that thou mayest do it' (Deut.
30:14) is essentially the same as 'the word
of faith' preached by Paul—the gospel,
which announces faith as the principle of
righteousness."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 10:8.
6. For how many is salvation as-
sured? Rom. 10:12, 13.
NoTE.—God makes no distinction among
people. Each person who sincerely be-
lieves is justified, is a subject for eternal
salvation. God is a storehouse of spiritual
riches, upon which one may call; but the
call must be made in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ. There is no salvation
in any other name. The apostle is quoting
Joel 2:32.
28
Basis of Faith
7.
What four questions are asked
by Paul? Rom. 10:14, 15, 17.
NoTE.—"The greatest work, the noblest
effort, in which men can engage, is to point
sinners to the Lamb of God. True ministers
are colaborers with the Lord in the ac-
complishment of His purposes. God says
to them, Go, teach and preach Christ. In-
struct and educate all who know not of His
grace, His goodness, and His mercy. Teach
the
people."—Gospel Workers,
pages 18, 19.
8.
What was Israel's attitude to-
ward the gospel they had heard?
Rom. 10:16, 18.
NoTE.—Few accepted the message of sal-
vation by faith. The word was preached;
the hearers could have accepted it, but did
not.
The apostle suggests, "You would not
want to say that all did not get an oppor-
tunity to hear, would you?" The fact is,
the message was carried, one way or an-
other, to all parts of the inhabited earth
(compare Psalm 19:4; Col. 1:23), by
means of the witness of natural religion,
and also by the personal messenger. We do
not know all the means that God used.
9.
What great truth did Israel fail
to comprehend? Rom. 10:19-21.
NoTE.—The apostle's thought is, Did not
Israel get to realize? The answer is ex-
pected: No, the Jews failed; they did not
arrive at the realization that righteousness
is by faith; and also that the plan was uni-
versal in scope. Then he quotes Moses in
Deuteronomy 32:21, which shows that
from the beginning God proclaimed that He
would include Gentiles in the plan of salva-
tion by faith. The second witness to this
truth that Paul quotes is Isaiah, taking
statements from Isaiah 65.
"The prophet Isaiah, looking down
through the centuries and witnessing the
rejection of prophet after prophet and fi-
FAITH, NOT WORKS, IS ESSENTIAL
WHEN WE ACCEPT CHRIST'S PERFECT
RIGHTEOUSNESS—me HOUSE OF OUR LIFE.
.009-8
nally of the Son of God, was inspired to
write concerning the acceptance of the Re-
deemer by those who had never before
been numbered among the children of Is-
real."—The Acts of the Apostles,
page 375.
The Election of Grace
10.
What conclusion does Paul
draw from his own experience? Rom.
11:1, 2, first part.
NOTE.—"Notwithstanding Israel's failure
as a nation, there remained among them
a goodly remnant of such as should be
saved. At the time of the Saviour's advent,
there were faithful men and women who
had received with gladness the message of
John the Baptist, and had thus been led to
study anew the prophecies concerning the
Messiah. When the early Christian church
was founded, it was composed of these
faithful Jews who recognized Jesus of
Nazareth as the One for whose advent they
had been longing."—The
Acts of the Apos-
tles,
pages 376, 377.
11.
What experience does the apos-
tle cite to establish his point further?
Rom. 11:2-4.
Nom—This nonrejection is further
stressed by quoting from 1 Kings 19:10, 14,
[29]
18, which speaks of a terrible apostasy by
Israel. Yet God did not utterly forsake
them. Elijah thought he was the only
faithful believer remaining, but it was not
so. There was a sincere, true remnant that
was faithful to God.
12.
What conclusion does the
apostle draw? Rom. 11:5, 6.
NOTE.—A comparison is drawn, and the
statement made that today there is a spirit-
ual remnant as a result of the gospel. The
entire Jewish nation has not departed from
God. His divine grace so freely exercised
has again resulted in the separation of a
remnant. Again it is accomplished by faith
through God's grace, with no human works
demanding recognition or payment. Indi-
vidual Jews are exercising the faith of their
father Abraham, and thereby becoming
objects of God's saving grace.
13.
What Old Testament reference
is used to explain the failure of Is-
rael? Rom. 11:7, 8.
NoTE.—As a nation, Israel wrote a piti-
ful story of failure and submission to vari-
ous temptations. In view of this failure,
God could only leave them to their own
folly. The "remnant" or "election" from
among them was accepted of God. The
Lord is able to elect to eternal salvation
individuals who exercise faith in the coming
Lamb of God. Paul's word translated
"blinded" (Rom. 11:7) means to be cov-
ered as with
a
thick skin. It is a reference
to the dullness of one's understanding. This
condition came about in part by reason
of the Jew's insistence on following their
own ways, and their nonsubmission to
God's judgments as He sought to lead
them to repentance.
The expression "spirit of slumber" (Rom.
11:8) is a little puzzling. The King James
marginal reading has "remorse." However,
as the root here translated "slumber" means
"to prick or cut with a sharp instrument,"
we have the idea of a blow delivered by a
sharp instrument producing a momentary
stunning of one's senses, a feeling of be-
wilderment and stupor generally, and this
is the meaning that came to be applied to
this word, and which is applicable here in
the spiritual sphere.
14.
What application does Paul
make of Psalm 69:22? Rom. 11: 9, 10.
NOTE.—Paul quotes Psalm 69:22 some-
what freely, and makes an application of
God's displeasure to the unbelieving Jews.
The Hebrew expression is rather, "Let them
be for a chase;" that is, instead of happily
eating and feasting let them be persecuted
and hunted down.
"And recompense unto them" (verse 9).
This is the Septuagint Greek translation.
The Hebrew reads, "When they are in
peace, let it be a trap." That is to say, when
all seems well and secure, and at peace,
may their apparent security and sense of
well-being bring retaliation and recom-
pense of punishment upon them.
The darkening or blinding of their eyes
(verse 10) is certainly applied by Paul to
spiritual blindness and bewilderment. This
is the natural outcome of the rejection of
God's way of salvation, and dependence
on works.
Lesson 9, for February 28, 1959
The Sovereignty of God Made Plain in His Gracious Mercy
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 11:11 to
12:2.
MEMORY VERSE:
"0 the depth of,,the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding
out!" Rom. 11:33.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary," on Romans
11:11
to 12:2; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald"
of February 12.
[ 30 ]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey. 0
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Sunday: Questions 1-3; learn the
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
0
Memory Verse.
0
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
Monday: Questions 4-6.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline
I. God Overrules Israel's Failure
1.
Twofold purpose. Rom. 11:11, 12.
2.
Effect on Jew and Gentile. Rom.
11:13-15.
3.
Example of grafting. Rom. 11:
16-20.
II. Admonition to Gentiles
4.
A solemn warning. Rom. 11:21.
5.
Goodness and severity of God.
Rom. 11:22-24.
.
6.
Should understand the mystery.
Rom. 11:25.
III. True Israel to Be Saved
' 7. A deliverer. Rom. 11:26, 27.
8.
God's unchanging purpose for
Israel. Rom. 11:28, 29.
9.
God's mercy extended. Rom.
11:3032.
IV. Paul's Ascription of Praise-His
Apostolic Plea
10.
An impassioned doxology. Rom.
11:33.
11.
Conclusions from quotations from
Isaiah. Rom. 11:34-36.
12.
Call for a living sacrifice. Rom.
12:1.
13.
Call for nonconformity to the
world. Rom. 12:2.
THE
LESSON
God Overrules Israel's Failure
1.
What does Paul say of the
spiritual connection between Jew and
Gentile? Rom. 11:11, 12.
NoTE.-"Israel had stumbled and fallen,
but this did not make it impossible for
them to rise again. In answer to the ques-
tion, 'Have they stumbled that they should
fall?' the apostle replies: 'God forbid: but
rather through their fall salvation is come
unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to
jealousy.'
"-The Acts of the Apostles,
pages 375, 376.
The "casting away" (Rom. 11:15) of the
Jewish nation is a reference to the exclu-
sion of the nation from its previous favored
position. Individual Jews, like individual
Gentiles, may become inheritors of eternal
salvation, children of God, through faith in
Jesus Christ.
2.
By what fact was the reconciling
of the Gentiles brought about? Rom.
11:13-15.
NoTE.-"Through unbelief and the re-
jection of Heaven's purpose for her, Israel
as a nation had lost her connection with
God. But the branches that had been
separated from the parent stock God was
able to reunite with the true stock of Is-
rael-the remnant who had remained true
to the God of their fathers."-The
Acts of
the Apostles,
pages 377, 378.
3.
By what examples did the apos-
tle illustrate his point? Rom. 11:
16-20.
NorE.-In speaking of the "lump" and
"first fruits" note that the apostle is tak-
ing expressions from Numbers 15:19-21. In
this passage is stated the custom of dedi-
cating a portion of the dough to God as the
heave offering, to be waved or heaved be-
fore the Lord.
The Gentiles are a branch grafted into
the original stock. They will retain their
spiritual privileges, not by boasting over
the Jew, but by humbly recognizing their
[31
1
DOWN
THE RICHES Or HEAVEN ARE INEXHAUST-
ISLE AND THEY
ARE
AWAITING,
GOD'S CHILDREN.
grafted position. The graft is not the source
of the life of the plant; the original root is
that which gives the whole plant life. The
blessings of salvation the Gentiles share are
derived, they are not original with them;
and faith is the continuing condition of
their divine acceptance. Rom. 11:20. As
the chosen people, with all the privileges
that are involved, the Jews deserved the
severity they received when they rejected
Jesus as the Messiah. They will be rein-
stated with the believing Gentile the mo-
ment they accept Jesus as their Saviour.
The rejection of the Jews, then, was not
irrevocable, inasmuch as individuals may
yet be saved.
Admonition to Gentiles
4. What solemn warning did Paul
give to the Gentiles? Rom. 11:21.
Norz.—"Shall the warnings from God be
passed by unheeded? Shall the opportu-
nities for service be unimproved? Shall the
world's scorn, the pride of reason, con-
formity to human customs and traditions,
hold the professed followers of Christ from
service to Him? Will they reject God's
word as the Jewish leaders rejected Christ?
The result of Israel's sin is before us. Will
the church of today take warning?"—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 306.
5.
What two manifestations of the
character of God does Paul mention,
and for what purpose? Rom. 11:22-24.
NorE.—"God's dealings with the Gentiles
show that He is full of kindness and long-
suffering toward men (see Rom. 2:4). His
goodness will always be shown toward
those who trust in Him rather than in their
own merits or the privileged position they
enjoy. But on the other hand, God's
treatment of the Jews reveals the severity
He must exercise upon those who trust in
themselves."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 11:22.
6.
What was the underlying cause
of Israel's rejection? Rom. 11:25.
NorE.—Th'e apostle Paul
speaks of a
"mystery" only in the sense of something
that cannot be fully understood without a
divine revelation; the revelation that ex-
plains what has taken place is found in the
Scriptures. In this connection Paul is speak-
ing of God's dealings with Jew and Gen-
tile as candidates for eternal salvation. The
"blindness," literally, hardness as a callus,
of the Jews, was turned to good account by
God as a means of bringing in the Gentiles;
this in turn is used to stir up the Jew to
a realization of the blessings of the exercise
of faith.
True Israel to Be Saved
7.
What provision will yet be ef-
fective for Israel? Rom. 11:26, 27.
8.
How is God's purpose for Is-
rael further confirmed? Rom. 11:
28, 29.
NoTE.—The Jews as a people are
estranged from God. Nevertheless the Jew
is still beloved of God for the sake of the
patriarchs of old. The steadfastness of
God's
love and purpose is stated in verse
29. His gracious gifts and the call to salva-
[
32 ]
tion preached throughout the world are
not repented of by Him. He does not re-
gret having instituted the plan of salvation
because some have rejected it. He will
carry it through; He will not revoke His
plan or withdraw it. Man's inconsistencies
cannot make God fail. His resources are
infinite.
9.
How will divine mercy extended
to the Gentiles affect Jews? Rom. 11:
30-32.
NorE.—The Gentile nations were then
heathen, but now number millions of be-
lievers; the Jews became hostile in refusing
faith in Jesus, but will yet find a way to
accept Him through the mercy extended to
the Gentiles. Verse 32 states the divine
philosophy which, in a nutshell,, is that
God has included the whole world as a
candidate for salvation by the individual
exercise of faith.
"Their [the Jews'] former disobedience
ought to repress any uncharitable feelings
the Gentiles might be tempted to cherish
concerning the present disobedience of the
Jews (vs. 18-20)."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 11:30.
Paul's Ascription of Praise—
His Apostolic Plea
10.
What does the comprehensive-
ness of God's plan cause Paul to ex-
claim? Rom. 11:33.
NorE.—The comprehensiveness of the
divine plan for the salvation of men so im-
pressed Paul that he breaks out into an im-
passioned doxology. He praises the "riches"
of God, which are composed of divine
wisdom and knowledge. It is out of the
inexhaustible resources of His wealth of
wisdom and knowledge that God is able to
carry His plans to completion. His divine
"judgments," literally, decisions, such as
those which temporarily rejected the Jews
and admitted the Gentiles, are beyond un-
aided human wisdom to fathom.
"Our Father in heaven orders everything
in wisdom and righteousness, and we are
not to be dissatisfied and distrustful, but
to bow in reverent submission."—The
Gredt Controversy,
page 527.
11.
What questions recorded by a
prophet of the Old Testament does
Paul quote, and with what conclu-
sion? Rom. 11:34-36.
NorE.—Verse 34 is a quotation from
Isaiah 40:13. No one is able to give coun-
sel to the Godhead; for "of Him," literally,
"from Him" as a source, all things proceed;
by His agency all things are sustained and
exist; and He is the final goal toward
which all things tend and will find their
ultimate end, goal, and complete satisfac-
tion throughout eternity. Verse 36.
"We can understand as much of His
purposes as it is for our good to know;
and beyond this we must still trust the hand
that is omnipotent, the heart that is full
of
love."—Steps to Christ,
page 106.
12.
Being under the influence of a
profound sense of God's mercy and
benevolent purposes, what practical
exhortation does Paul commence?
Rom. 12:1.
NoTE.—Beginning with chapter 12 the
apostle turns from the doctrinal portion of
his letter, and begins to give a series of
practical exhortations. He does this on the
basis of God's tender compassions. The
word translated "present" is the classical
term for placing the sacrificial offering on
the altar. It is the one used of the presen-
tation of the child Jesus in the temple
(Luke 2:22), of Christ's presentation of the
church (Col. 1:28), and the Father's pres-
entation of the saved (Eph. 5:27).
"In that ancient ritual which was the
gospel in symbol, no blemished offering
could be brought to God's altar. The sac-
rifice that was to represent Christ must be
spotless. The word of God points to this
as an illustration of what His children are
to be—'a living sacrifice,' holy and without
blemish,' well-pleasing to God.'
"—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 130.
13.
What are we called upon to
forsake? Rom. 12:2.
[33]
Lesson 10, for March
7, 1959
Exhortation to Church Members
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 12:3 to 13:7.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For as we have many members in one body, and all members
have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and
every one members one of another." Rom. 12:4, 5.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 12:3 to
13:7; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 19.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
0
Sunday: Questions 1-3; learn the
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Memory Verse.
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
0
Monday: Questions
4-6.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
THE LESSON
ness, of self-importance, of self-glorifica-
tion."-The
Pulpit Commentary,
on Rom.
12:3-5.
Lesson Outline
I.
Unity in Diversity
1.
Exhortation to humility. Rom.
12:3.
2.
Unity in Christ. Rom. 12:4, 5.
3.
Varied gifts of grace. Rom. 12:6-8.
II.
Christian Duties
4.
Brotherly love. Rom. 12:9, 10.
5.
Diligence in the Lord's service.
Rom. 12:11, 12.
6.
Hospitality and benevolence. Rom.
12:13, 14.
7.
Sympathy and humility. Rom.
12:15, 16.
8.
Honesty and peaceableness. Rom.
12:17, 18.
9.
Proper attitude toward enemies.
Rom. 12 :19-21.
III. The Christian's Attitude to
Civil Powers
10.
Subject to civil powers. Rom.
13:1, 2.
11.
Function and authority of rulers.
Rom. 13:3, 4.
12.
A dual reason for obedience to
civil law. Rom. 13:5.
13.
Basis for paying taxes. Rom.
13:6, 7.
Unity in Diversity
1. What exhortation to humility
does the apostle give? Rom. 12:3.
NOTE.-"It is
a
besetting temptation of
human nature to think too highly of
ourselves. Men are prone to exaggerate
their own abilities and merits, and to ex-
tenuate their own faults; and, at the same
time, alas! to depreciate the gifts and de-
serts of their neighbors, and to magnify
their failings. It is the infirmity of selfish-
2. How is the gradation of gifts
and labor in the church illustrated?
Rom. 12:4, 5.
NoTE.-"These functions are all necessary
and important, but all do not seem to be
equally glorious. The well-being and ad-
vancement of the whole group depend upon
34 1
a spirit of love, co-operation, and mutual
esteem among the members, each indi-
vidual discharging his appointed duties.
This figure of the body and its members is
worked out more fully in 1 Cor. 12:12-27."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Rom. 12:4.
3.
What should be the attitude of
the Christian to his gift in relation to
the gifts of others in the church?
Rom. 12:6-8.
Norn.—"The Lord desires His chosen
servants to learn how to unite together in
harmonious effort. It may seem to some
that the contrast between their gifts and
the gifts of a fellow laborer is too great to
allow them to unite in harmonious effort;
but when they remember that there are
varied minds to be reached, and that some
will reject the truth as it is presented by
one laborer, only to open their hearts to
God's truth as it is presented in a different
manner by another laborer, they will hope-
fully endeavor to labor together in unity."
—Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 145.
Christian Duties
4.
How will brotherly love be
manifested? Rom. 12:9, 10.
NoTE.—"The fact that we are under So
great obligation to Christ places us under
the most sacred obligation to those whom
He died to redeem. We are to manifest to-
ward them the same. sympathy, the same
tender compassion and unselfish love, which
Christ has manifested toward us. Selfish
ambition, desire for supremacy, will die
when Christ takes possession of the
af-
fections."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 170.
5.
In what ways can a Christian
give evidence of his diligence in the
service of God? Rom. 12:1.1, 12. -
Nom—Verse 11 speaks of being diligent,
and not flagging. The second part of this
phrase is from the word which means "to
be slow, to be pokey." The reference is
not to "business," that is, the practical life,
as one might infer from the King James
Version, but is referring to spiritual life.
Then the apostle continues: "Boiling in
spirit"—here a reference to fervency of the
the human spirit under the influence of the
Holy Spirit. Paul continues: "Serving the
Lord as slaves." Utter devotion to Jesus
Christ is to be the Christian's normal way
of life. The fervent zeal of the believer's
spirit is to find outlet in the Master's serv-
ice. The basis and ground of the Christian's
joy is hope. This hope goes beyond this
life and reaches clear to the future immor-
tal life in the new earth. This hope will
also enable the believer to be "patient in,"
literally, "remain under," tribulation. This
is a necessary virtue in times of distress.
Daily communion with God is essential.
6.
What should be the Christian's
attitude toward the needy and toward
persecutors? Rom. 12:13, 14.
NoTE.—"These admonitions have been
strangely neglected. Even among those who
profess to be Christians true hospitality is
little exercised. Among our own people the
opportunity of showing hospitality is not
regarded as it should be, as a privilege and
blessing. There is altogether too little so-
ciability, too little of a disposition to make
room for two or three more at the family
board without embarrassment or parade."
—The Adventist Home,
pages 445, 446.
The proper course of conduct for the
Christian toward his persecutors is that he
definitely seek a blessing for them; he must
never retaliate, seeking to give blows in re-
turn for blows. Compare Matthew 5:44.
7.
What will characterize the
Christian's feelings toward others?
Rom. 12:15, 16.
Norn.—"Christ identified Himself with
the necessities of His people. Their needs
and their sufferings were His. He says: 'I
was anhungered, and ye gave Me meat: I
was
:
thirsty,. and ye- gave Me-
.
drink;
.
Was
a:stranger, and
;
ye ,took
:
naked, and
35
"RENDER UNTO CAESAR" AS
HONESTLY AS WE RENDER TO
GOD.
1039-10
ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited
Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto
Me.' God's servants should have hearts of
tender affection and sincere love for the
followers of
Christ."—Testimonies, vol.
3,
p. 186.
8.
How will the Christian live be-
fore all men? Rom. 12:17, 18.
Norz.—"In all the details of life the
strictest principles of honesty are to be
maintained. These are not the principles
which govern our world, for Satan, de-
ceiver, liar, and oppressor, is the master,
and his subjects follow him and carry out
his purposes. But Christians serve under
a different Master, and their actions must
be wrought in God, irrespective of all self-
ish gain. Deviation from perfect fairness
in business deal may appear as a small
thing in the estimation of some, but our
Saviour did not thus regard it."—Ellen G.
White,
My Life Today,
page 330.
9.
What should be the Christian's
attitude toward his enemies? Rom.
12:19-21.
Non.
"Only a
perfect, all-knowing, all-
loving God can rightly judge and justly
punish evildoers. Both the language and
the thought of this injunction are illustrated
by Eph. 4:27, where Paul explains that by
avenging ourselves we 'give place to the
devil.' Those who are filled with thoughts
of revenge are giving opportunity for Satan
to inspire anger, hatred, and bitterness,
whereas they should be encouraging the
growth of the fruits of the Spirit—love,
joy, peace, and long-suffering (Gal.
5:22)."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Rom. 12:19.
The Christian should esteem it a privi-
lege to administer to the needs of an enemy,
thereby perhaps bringing repentance to his
heart, or at least a sense of shame and re-
morse for his conduct. The closing verse
of the chapter refers to the evil which the
persecutor has done to the Christian. This
evil the Christian should repay with good,
that is, with righteous forbearance; it may
disarm the adversary and make him a
friend. In any case, to overcome the de-
sire to take vengeance is to gain a victory
over self, and is a sign of spiritual strength.
The Christian's Attitude to
Civil Powers
10.
To what authorities should the
Christian be subject? Rom. 13:1, 2.
NOTE.—It is a Christian duty to obey all
lawful demands of government. While Paul
is not arguing for the divine right of any
particular form of government, he is stress-
ing the need of government and order; he
respects the office, not its form and the
character of its administrators. The Chris-
tian should recognize that civil authority is
derived from God and is determined by
divine Providence.
When Caiaphas adjured the silent Jesus
to answer a question, our Lord respected his
authority. "He had not spoken until di-
rectly questioned. He knew that to an-
swer now would make His death certain.
But the appeal was made by the highest
acknowledged authority of the nation, and
in the name of the Most High. Christ
would not fail to shciw proper respect for
the
law."—The Desire of Ages,
page 706. •
86
11.
Who invested civil officers
with their authority? To whom is
the magistrate a terror? Rom. 13:3, 4.
NorE.—"In general, rulers are not to be
dreaded except when wrong is done. In
actuality, of course, not all rulers belong
to this class, for many of them have perse-
cuted the good; for example, Nero, the
Roman emperor at the time Paul wrote
this epistle, who was later responsible for
Paul's martyrdom. Nevertheless, it is gen-
erally true that those who are virtuous
have nothing to fear from civil authorities."
—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Rom. 13:3.
12.
State two reasons why the
Christian should obey civil authori-
ties. Rom. 13:5.
NoTE.—It
is
obvious that the Christian
should obey civil law, lawfully adminis-
tered, for two reasons; (a) because of
"wrath," that is, the penalty of the law
that the magistrate is authorized to inflict
as a legitimate sentence;
(b)
out of respect
to one's own conscience before God, know-
ing full well that civil authority is of God's
establishing, determined by His providence
for maintaining an orderly society.
13.
Why should Christians pay
taxes? How broad is the Christian's
duty? Rom. 13:6, 7.
NcrrE.—The service the government gives
is for the welfare of its subjects; therefore
the Christian should be happy to pay law-
ful taxes to bear the cost of these services.
Verse 7 repeats and summarizes the advice
of verses 1-6. The last clause, "fear to
whom fear; honor to whom honor," per-
haps broadens to include right relationship
to all men, respect to superiors in office,
due courtesy to all equals and those in
lowly walks of life.
Lesson 11, for March 14, 1959
Love and Tolerance in the Life of the Christian
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 13:8
to 15:7.
MEMORY VERSE: "For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God,
and approved of men." Rom. 14:18.
STUDY HELPS: "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 13:8 to
15:7; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 26.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check
Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey..
0
Memory Verse.
Sunday: Questions 1
-
4.
Wednesday: Questions 11
,
15.
0
Monday: Questions .5-7..:
0
Thursday: Read from Study
.
Helps.
0
Tuesday: Questions
-
8-10; learn the
Friday: Review entire lesson.
371
Lesson Outline
I.
Loving Consideration for Others
1.
The Christian's debt. Rom. 13:8.
2.
The summation of the law. Rom.
13:9, 10.
II. A Special Incentive
3.
Urgency of the time. Rom. 13:
11, 12.
4.
The Christian walk. Rom. 13:
13, 14.
Ill. Christian Tolerance
5.
Diet used as an illustration. Rom.
14:1-3.
6.
Question concerning judging.
Rom. 14:4.
7.
Should respect convictions of
others. Rom. 14:5, 6.
IV. Examples-Not Critics
8.
The Christian's influence. Rom.
14:7.
9.
Living unto the Lord. Rom.
14:8, 9.
10.
No reason for judging. Rom. 14:
10-13.
V. The Essential Emphasis
11.
A charitable attitude. Rom. 14:
14, 15.
12.
Not meat and drink. Rom. 14:
16-18.
13.
The Christian attitude. Rom.
14:19-21.
14.
Proper exercise of faith. Rom.
14:22, 23.
15.
Christ our example. Rom. 15:1-7.
THE 'LESSON
Loving Consideration for Others
1.
What is the only kind of debt
that the Christian should owe? Rom.
13:8.
NOTE.-"Except
to love one another"
(R.S.V.). "When men are bound together,
not by force or self-interest, but by love,
they show the working of an influence that
is above every human influence. Where
this oneness exists, it is evidence that the
image of God is being restored in human-
ity, that a new principle of life has been
implanted. It shows that there is power
in the divine nature to withstand the su-
pernatural agencies of evil, and that the
grace of God subdues the selfishness in-
herent in the natural heart."-The
Desire
of Ages,
page 678.
2.
In what statement is man's rela-
tion to his fellow man summarized?
Rom. 13:9, 10.
...:NoTE.-"This obligation Plove thy
neighbor as thyself"] is resting upon all.
All are required to-labor t6 diininish:the ills
and multiply the blessings' of theirvfelloW
creatures."-Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 606.
Love is an inspiration that is positive; it
moves to do good as well as refraining
from doing harm. Therefore, it is the full
realization of the inner content of the law.
Compare this verse with Matthew 22:39,
40; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8. No other
principle of action in the world is able so
beneficially to work out good in human
experience, in all the intricacies of modern
life, as that of love.
A Special Incentive
3.
What reason does the apostle
give
for exhorting believers to exer-
cise Christian love? Rom. 13:11, 12.
NOTE.-"Since
we know the present
crisis," is the tenor of Paul's statement. He
does not use the word "time"
(chronos,
our
"chronology"), but
kairos,
meaning a par-
ticular season a
.
critical moment, a present
period. In view of what lay ahead of the
church,
in persecution and trial, it was neces-
sary for
-
members_ to
.
be . aroused from
apathy toward
-
slit; .and to
.
b at peaCe
with God in a pipgreisive sanctification.
That is the "salvafion'F-Praul speakS of hefe.
He was not mistaken
-
.in respect. :to the
[
88]
nearness of Christ's second coming. 2 These.
2:1-10. The day had come for renunciation
of material things and for advance in sanc-
tification—"cast off the works
,
of dark-
ness;" also, a putting on of "the armor of
light," that is, an entry into intimate union
with Jesus Christ. Every generation should
live in view of Christ's coming, for each
generation brings the, event that much
nearer.
4.
What should characterize the
Christian walk? For what should we
make no provision? Rom. 13:13, 14.
NoTE.—"Let every soul heed these words,
and know that the Lord Jesus will accept
of no compromise. . . . Unless the worker
puts on the •Lord Jesus Christ and finds in
Him wisdom, sanctification, and redemp-
tion, how can he represent the religion of
Jesus? All his efficiency, all his reward, is
found in
Christ."—Testimonies to Minis-
ters,
page 171.
The thirteenth chapter closes with a plea
for the Christian• to be clothed with Christ,
meaning, •to manifest His character, wear-
ing it as a moral garment. The • believer
should not continue to think of and plan
for a life of self-indulgence as if that were
the true end and aim of life. The apostle
therefore warns us not to give thought to
such things.
Christian Tolerance
5.
What Christian virtue should be
exercised toward others? Rom: 14:1-3
NoTE.—"Judge."
It is a fact that the
"weak," with his overanxiety in details
that pertain to rules and not morals, often
causes more trouble in the church than
does the "strong."
6.
What question is asked con-
cerning judging another? Rom. 14:4.
NoTE.—"True Christians will not exult
in exposing the faults and, deficiencies of
others. They will turn away from vileness
and deformity, to fix the mind upon that
which is attractive and lovely. To the
Christian every act of faultfinding, every
word of censure or condemnation, is pain-
ful."—Testimonies, vol. 5,
p.
96.
7.
How does Paul further illus-
trate the matter Of respecting the con-
victions of others? 'Rom. 14:5, 6.
NoiE.—The apostle passes to a second
point of difference, namely, the observance
of days. He is not speaking of the sev-
enth-day Sabbath or of any other day as
an institution of the Christian church. He
is stressing the principle that nothing in
the Christian religion is legalistic or ritu-
alistic; each individual must have an in-
formed, intelligent assurance before God
as- to his duty. No man should observe a
day merely on another man's opinion. Each
person must act in full assurance of his per-
sonal responsibility to God, and in full ac-
cordance with the divine will. Similarly
in respect to food. When one sincerely re-
turns thanks to God for the food placed
before him, it is thereby consecrated to
God, and the partaker shows he eats in a
spirit of reverent thanksgiving.
Examples—Not Critics
8.
What statement sets forth the
fact of one's inevitable influence?
Rom. 14:7.
9.
How much of a person's life
must be considered as accountable to
God? Rom. 14:8, 9.
NoTE.—"We
are the Lord's.
That is, we
belong to Christ, for He is 'Lord both of
the dead and living' (v. 9). Whether weak
in faith or strong, in life or-death alike, we
are responsible to the Lord, for we are His
purchased possession (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor.
6:20; Eph. 1:14). What right have we to
sit in judgment on anyone who belongs to
Christ
?'
:
'—The Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble ,Cornmentary,
on. Rom. 14:8.
[391.
10.
If any judgment is to be passed
at all by men, in view of what fact
should it be done? Rom. 14:10-13.
NorE.—"No one was ever reclaimed by
reproach; but many have thus been re-
pelled and have been led to steel their hearts
against conviction. A tender spirit, a gen-
tle, winning deportment, may save the err-
ing and hide a multitude of
sins."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 166.
The Essential Emphasis
11.
How does the apostle urge gen-
tle forbearance? Rom. 14:14, 15.
NoTE.—Paul is not speaking of that
which is morally impure, but of that
which is ceremonially so. To grieve a
brother by what one eats is to sin against
the law of love.
12.
On what should the Christian
emphasis rest? Rom. 14:16-18.
NoTE.—The Christian "good" that Paul
speaks of is the blessing of Christian liberty
and the stouter faith of the "strong," which
should not be used to invoke recrimina-
tions. This could give rise to an evil re-
port concerning that which is good of it-
self. The apostle stresses that the kingdom
is not a matter of the act of "eating and
drinking;" it is fellowship with the Holy
Spirit in practical righteousness.
13.
What should be the Christian
attitude in these matters? Rom. 14:
19-21.
NOTE.—"The believer who acts charita-
bly wins the good will of his brother in-
stead of putting a stumbling block in his
way."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Rom. 14:18.
14.
In these matters how is faith
properly exercised? Rom. 14:22, 23.
Nora.—"Here referring to a conviction of
right and wrong, resulting in the determi-
nation to do whatever is believed to be
God's will. Paul's meaning is that if a
Christian does not act from strong personal
conviction that what he does is right, but,
instead, complies weakly with the judgment
of others, then his action is sinful. The
Christian should never violate his con-
science. It may require educating. It may
tell him that certain things are wrong that
in themselves may not be wrong. But until
convinced by the word and the Spirit of
God that a certain course is proper for him,
he ought not to pursue it. He must not
make others the criterion for his conduct;
he must go to the Scriptures and learn for
himself his duty in the matter (see 2T 119-
124)."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Rom. 14:23.
15.
Who is the supreme example
of selflessness? What temper of mind
should characterize believers? Rom.
15:1-7.
NOTE.—The supreme example of living
for others is Jesus Christ; so the apostle
exhorts us to be "like-minded," literally,
"to be minding the same thing" with the
1, 40.1.
Master. In this connection Paul is speak-
ing not of doctrine, but of feelings, com-
mon forbearance, patience, consolation,
hopes, and aims-an attitude that will re-
dound to God's glory. Unity of mind and
a harmony of active life are essential for
the building up of the church and a clear
testimony in God's honor. The exhortation
of verse 7 has the glory of God in view.
The example of Christ, who received sin-
ners that God might be glorified, is to
govern the attitude of brethren in receiving
each other considerately. The object is to
be the same, that God be glorified.
Lesson 12, for March 21, 1959
Mercy Extended to the Gentiles
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Romans 15:8 to 16:27.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye people."
Rom. 15:11.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Romans 15 and
16; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March
5.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Tuesday: Questions 6-8.
CI
Sunday: Questions 1, 2; learn
the
Wednesday: Questions 9-13.
Memory Verse.
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
CI
Monday: Questions 3-5.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline
I. Christ Ministered to Jew and Gentile
1.
Christ's twofold purpose.
Rom.
15:8-12.
2.
Hope, joy, and peace.
Rom. 15:13.
II. Paul's Own Ministry
3.
A minister to the Gentiles. Rom.
15:14-16.
4.
Scope, power, and extent of his
ministry. Rom. 15:17-19.
5.
Paul a pioneer. Rom. 15:20, 21.
6.
He included Rome and Spain in
his plans. Rom. 15:22-24.
7.
Paul's mission to Jerusalem. Rom.
15:25-29.
8.
Paul asks prayers of church in
Rome. Rom. 15:30-33.
III. Paul Concludes His Epistle
9.
Phebe commended to church in
Rome. Rom. 16:1, 2.
10.
Greeting to Priscilla and Aquila.
Rom. 16:3, 4.
11.
Greetings to many believers.
Rom. 16:5-16.
12.
Warning against deceivers. Rom.
16:17-19.
13.
Closing salutation and committal.
Rom. 16:20-27.
THE LESSON
Christ Ministered to Jew and
Gentile
1. What was the twofold purpose
of Christ in coming to this earth?
Rom. 15:8-12.
NoTE.-The apostle tells us that Jesus
Christ came with a double purpose. First
was His mission to the Jews to vindicate
to them the promises of God, with His own
life and death on earth as the fulfillment of
those promises. Second, to display the
[ 41 ]
mercies of God
to
the Gentiles in taking
away their condemnation, and thereby giv-
ing them cause to glorify God. The "truth"
of God spoken of in verse 8 is a reference
to His truthfulness and faithfulness in ful-
filling His promises.
The statement of verse 9 is better read
"that the Gentiles might glorify God on
account of His mercy." The admission 'of
the Gentiles to the blessings of the gospel
is a pure act of mercy. The apostle quotes
from Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43;
Psalm 117:1; and Isaiah 11:10, all of which
speak of the inclusion of the Gentiles. So
while the Jew could thank God for His
covenant and the fulfillment of His prom-
ises, the Gentiles could praise the Lord for
His great mercy.
2.
What triple blessing should be
found operating in the Christian's at-
titudes toward the future? Rom.
15:13.
NOTE.—"In
believing.
Paul prays that
their faith may give them a life full of joy
and peace and hope, which are all the re-
sults of true faith and of the presence of
the Holy Spirit (see Rom. 5:1, 2; Gal. 5:
22). Where these fruits of the Spirit are
found, there will be love and harmony
among believers. Jew and Gentile, strong
and weak, all will live together in joy and
peace in the common hope of sharing in
the glory of God (Rom.
5:2)."—The Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Rom. 15:13.
Paul's Own Ministry
3.
Of what was Paul convinced in
respect to the Roman church mem-
bers? On what basis does he address
them so personally? Rom. 15:14-16.
NoTE.—From verse 14 the apostle gives
a personal turn to his letter. He speaks of
his personal convictions in respect to the
Christian character of the Roman church
congregation. He speaks of their goodness,
that is, readiness of disposition to do good
to others and to exemplify in their lives
the virtues spoken of in the first part of
this chapter.
"All knowledge.
Here particularly the
knowledge of spiritual truth, such as that
possessed by those strong in faith (see 1
Cor. 8:1, 7, 10, 11). Paul had earlier
warned the Corinthians that 'knowledge
puffeth up, but charity edifieth' (1 Cor.
8:1). Fortunately the Roman Christians
had the desirable combination of 'goodness'
and 'knowledge.'
"—The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 15:14.
4.
Concerning which things did
Paul feel he could legitimately boast?
Rom. 15:17-19.
NOTE.—"I may glory.
Paul's glorying
was not in himself but 'through Christ Je-
sus,' literally, 'in Christ Jesus.' He recog-
nized that he has nothing whereof to boast
(ch. 3:27) but that as a minister of the
gospel he did all things in and through
Christ (2 Cor. 10:17; Phil. 4:13). Never-
theless, he goes on to describe the success of
his work, especially among the Gentiles.
His purpose in mentioning them, as also
his reason for referring to his high calling
as an apostle (Rom. 15:15, 16), seems to
be to provide an adequate justification for
the authority that he has presumed to ex-
ercise over the members of the church at
Rome by writing this epistle to them."—
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen-
tary,
on Rom. 15:17.
5.
How did Paul show his pioneer
spirit? Rom. 15:20, 21.
NoTE.—"Have
I strived.
Gr.
philoti-
meomai,
'to make it one's ambition,' to
strive eagerly.' " The same word "is trans-
lated 'labor' in 2 Cor. 5:9, and 'study' in
1 Thess. 4:11. . . .
"As it is written.
The quotation is from
Isa. 52:15. Paul defends his practice of
preaching where Christ's name was un-
known by noting that the procedure was a
fulfillment of OT prediction."—The
Sev-
enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on
Rom. 15:20, 21.
6.
In his eagerness to pioneer,
where was Paul planning to go? Rom.
15:22-24.
42
WHEN THESE ARE FOUND IN A CHURCH
THERE IS HARMONY AND PEACE
AMONG THE MEMBERS.
1059 -12
NoTE.—Because the apostle was so keen
to pioneer the gospel in new regions, he
had been kept from coming to Rome as
soon as he otherwise would have come. But
he considered at this point that his work
was completed in Asia Minor, Macedonia,
and Greece. Churches had been estab-
lished and the apostle now felt it his duty
to move on. In his determination to con-
quer new regions for Christ, Paul planned
to go to Spain. A tradition dating back to
the Epistle of Clement of Rome (about
A.D.
95) says Paul visited "the extreme
limit of the west." This may be a reference
to Spain.
7. For what purpose was Paul
about to visit Jerusalem? Rom. 15:
25-29.
Norn.—The Gentile churches of Mace-
donia and Achaea had taken up collections
for the poor Jewish believers of the Jeru-
salem area. Compare Acts 24:17; 1 Cor.
16:1; 2 Cor. 8:1, 2; 9:1. The Gentile
Christians were happy to make this practi-
cal contribution as a token of their debt
to the church at Jerusalem.
"The plan of systematic benevolence is
pleasing to God. I was pointed back to the
days of the apostles, and saw that God
laid the plan by the descent of His Holy
Spirit, and that by the gift of prophecy
He counseled His people in regard to a
system of benevolence. All were to share
in this work of imparting of their carnal
things to those who ministered unto them
in spiritual
things."—Testimonies, vol.
1,
p. 190.
8.
With what request and benedic-
tion does the apostle conclude chap-
ter 15? Rom. 15:30-33.
NoTE.—The apostle planned to leave
Jerusalem and then pass through Rome on
his way to Spain. He expected to come in
the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of
Christ to the Roman church. He im-
plored their prayers for the sake of Jesus
Christ and the love that the Holy Spirit
inspired in their hearts (verse 30) to the
end that he might be delivered from ene-
mies in Jerusalem, and the gift he was
carrying might be graciously accepted
(verse 31).
"Strive together. . .
The term implies
strenuous effort, here, earnestness in prayer
(cf. Luke 22:44). Even though Paul is
endowed with the special gifts of an apos-
tle, he still needs and requests the prayers
of fellow believers (see 2 Cor. 1:11; Eph.
6:18, 19; Col. 4:3 ; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess.
3:1,
2)."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Rom. 15:30.
Paul Concludes His Epistle
9.
What facts are revealed about
Phebe in Paul's commendation of her
to the church in Rome? Rom. 16:1, 2.
NoTE.—It seems evident that Phebe,
a
Greek name that means "bright, radiant,"
was the bearer of Paul's letter. She was
probably a widow, for neither husband nor
father is mentioned. She was presumably
fairly wealthy, and she was going to Rome
on private business. She was an active
church member, "a servant of the church."
The Greek word translated "servant" is the
root
diakonos,
our English word "deacon."
Such people were originally appointed to
look after the wants of the poorer church
members. This is the first mention of a
woman deacon that we find. Compare 1
Tim. 3:11.
43
"Phebe entertained the apostle, and she
was in a marked manner an entertainer of
strangers who needed care. Her example
should be followed by the churches of to-
day."-Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 344.
10. Who next are mentioned in
Paul's rather long list of salutations?
Rom. 16:3, 4.
NoTE.-Priscilla and Aquila had appar-
ently run grave risks for Paul's sake. The
lady's name is given first, perhaps because
she was a woman of great ability, and did
more for the church than her husband.
Her name may suggest she was a highborn
Roman lady. Her husband, Aquila, was
a Jew of Pontus, whom Paul had found
at Corinth (Acts 18:1, 2, 18, 26; 1 Cor. 16:
19; 2 Tim. 4:19).
11.
What indicates Paul's rather
intimate knowledge of the believers
in Rome? Rom. 16:5-16.
12.
Against whom does the apostle
warn the Roman church? Rom. 16:
17-19.
NOTE.
-The apostle warns the church
against false teachers. Compare the descrip-
tion in Philippians 3:18, 19, where Paul
denounces persons who make "a god of
their belly." Self-indulgence is
a
common
fault. Note the reference to Genesis 3:15
in verse 20 of this chapter.
13.
With what salutations and ben-
ediction does Paul close his epistle?
Rom. 16:20-27.
Lesson 13, for March 28, 1959
The Review
MEMORY VERSE:
"We
know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Rom. 8:28.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," vol. 6; Lesson Help
in "Review and Herald" for March 12.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath
afternoon: General survey.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9.
Sunday: Questions 1-3.
Wednesday: Questions 10-13.
Monday: Questions
4
-
6;
learn
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
the Memory Verse.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline
I. Righteousness Manifested in Judg-
ment and Justification
1.
Men fully merited the wrath of
God. Rom. 1:18-21, 28.
2.
The
universality of human deprav-
ity. Rom. 3:10-12.
3.
The only remedy. Rom. 3:22-25.
II. Complete Provision in Christ
4.
Peace and joy through Christ.
Rom. 5:1, 11.
5.
Both dead and alive in Christ.
Rom. 6:3-8.
6. Walking with Christ. Rom. 8:1-4.
III. God's Righteousness Vindicated
7.
In His dealing with Jew and Gen-
tile. Rom. 9:22-24, 30-32.
8. Without partiality--"Whosoever."
Rom. 10:11-13.
9. In the sacrificial life. Rom. 12:1, 2.
IV. The Church of Christ
10. Unity in diversity. Rom. 12:4, 5.
f44
1
11.
In relation to civil powers. Rom.
Rom. 14:4, 13; 15:1-4.
13:1, 6, 7.
13. Embraces the Gentiles. Rom.
12.
Love and tolerance in the church.
15:9-13, 16.
THE LESSON
Righteousness Manifested in
Judgment and Justification
1.
Into what condition had man
fallen that merited the wrath of God?
Rom. 1:18-21, 28.
NOTE.—Paul sets forth three things: (1)
God's righteous anger is being revealed
against ungodly man; (2) it is being made
manifest because men reject Him, and act
wickedly against each other; and (3) men
are quite cognizant that God is the One
who made this revelation of Himself. The
revelation is fourfold: external in creation;
internal in man's consciousness; written in
the Holy Scriptures; and particularly made
clear in the Person and work of Jesus
Christ. This revelation leaves men without
excuse.
"Divine wisdom, infinite grace, were
made plain [by Jesus] by the things of
God's creation. Through nature and the
experiences of life, men were taught of God
[Rom. 1:20, R.V.,
quoted]."—Christ's Ob-
ject Lessons,
page 22.
2.
How universal had man's de-
parture from God become? Rom. 3:
10-12.
NOTE.—"Paul now turns to the Scrip-
tures to prove his charge of universal sin-
fulness. . . . This Biblical evidence par-
ticularly emphasizes that even the chosen
people share in the universal need for
righteousness."—The
Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 3:10-12.
3.
What is the only remedy for
man's sinfulness? Rom. 3:22-25.
NOTE.—"Faith is the condition upon
which God has seen fit to promise pardon
to sinners; not that there is any virtue in
faith whereby salvation is merited, but be-
cause faith can lay hold of the merits of
Christ, the remedy provided for sin. Faith
can present Christ's perfect obedience in-
stead of the sinner's transgression and de-
fection. When the sinner believes that
Christ is his personal Saviour, then accord-
ing to His unfailing promises, God par-
dons his sin and justifies him freely. The
repentant soul realizes that his justification
comes because Christ, as his substitute and
surety, has died for him, is his atonement
and righteousness."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
Supplementary
Material, on Rom. 4:3-5.
Complete Provision in Christ
4.
What experience comes to the
one who accepts the divine provision
for justification? Rom. 5:1, 11.
NOTE.—"The effect of God's provision of
righteousness by faith is to bring peace to
the sinner's once troubled and alienated
soul. Before the experience of justification
the sinner is in a state of enmity against
God, as shown by his rebellion against
God's authority and his transgression of
God's laws. But after he is reconciled, he
has peace with God."
"Paul mentions another of the results of
justification by faith. . . . 'We also joy in
God.' . . . One evidence that we are truly
converted and reconciled to God is that we
rejoice in
Him."—The Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 5:1, 11.
5.
What twofold experience is
represented by baptism? Rom. 6:3-8.
NoTE.—"Paul's point is that immersion
represents that the believer's death to sin is
as real and complete as was Christ's death
[
45]
A TRUE CHRISTIAN THANKS
GOD
FOR GOOD
GOVERNMENT.
ies9•ts
when He lay in the tomb. And if it is so
complete, then surely it should mark the
end of the old way of life and the begin-
ning of the
new."—The Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 6:3-8.
6.
From what is the experience of
walking with Christ free? Rom. 8:1-4.
NOTE.—"To those who believe and ac-
cept the generous provisions of the gospel
and who in faith commit themselves to
lives of loving obedience, Christ offers jus-
tification and freedom. There may yet be
deficiencies in the believer's character, but
`when it is in the heart to obey God, when
efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus ac-
cepts this disposition and effort as man's
best service, and He makes up for the de-
ficiency with His own divine merit' (EGW
ST June 16, 1890). For such there is no
condemnation."—The
Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 8:1.
God's Righteousness Vindicated
7.
How is God's righteousness re-
vealed in His dealings with both Jews
and Gentiles? Rom. 9:22-24, 30-32.
NOTE.—"The Christian church is consti-
tuted of both Jews and Gentiles. Again
Paul emphasizes his theme of the univer-
sality of divine grace. . . . No one is called
and saved simply because he is a Jew. Sal-
vation is offered to Jew and Gentile alike,
and on the same terms."—The
Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom.
9:24.
8.
In what words is God's impar-
tiality set forth? Rom. 10:11-13.
NoTE.—"Jews and Gentiles alike have
sinned and stand in need of salvation. . . .
God has provided only one means whereby
men may be saved. He does not have one
provision for the Jew and another for the
Gentile. Hence all national, class, social,
and individual • distinctions vanish."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 10:12.
9.
What reasonable service is the
Christian called upon to render to
God? Rom. 12:1, 2.
NOTE.—"Paul first appeals to Christians
to consecrate their bodies to God. He then
calls on them to dedicate their intellectual
and spiritual faculties (v. 2). True sanc-
tification is the dedication of the entire
being—body, mind, and soul (1 Thess. 5:
23) ; the harmonious development of the
physical, mental, and spiritual powers, un-
til the image of God, in which man was
originally created, is perfectly restored.. . .
"The Christian must not go on following
the fashion of this age, as was formerly his
habit when he lived according to the flesh
(Rom. 8:12). On the contrary he must
undergo a complete transformation by the
renewing of his mind."—The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom.
12:1, 2.
The Church of Christ
10.
How is the unity of the
church illustrated? Rom. 12:4, 5.
NoTE.—"The church, like the human
body, is made up of many members having
different functions to perform. These func-
tions are all necessary and important, but
[ 46 ]
all do not seem to be equally glorious. The
well-being and advancement of the whole
group depend upon a spirit of love, co-op-
eration, and mutual esteem among the
members, each individual discharging his
appointed duties. This figure of the body
and its members is worked out more fully
in 1 Cor. 12:12-27....
"As the many parts compose one body
in the man, so the multitude of Christians
are one body in Christ. Christ is the One
who unites and energizes the whole com-
pany of believers."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 12:
4, 5.
11.
What should be the attitude of
the members of the church of Christ
to civil powers? Rom. 13:1, 6, 7.
Compare Matt. 22:21.
NoTE.—"Paul does not imply in these
verses that God always approves the con-
duct of civil governments. . . . The re-
quirements of government may at times
be contrary to the law of God, and under
such circumstances the Christian is 'to obey
God rather than men' (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
Paul's point is that the ruling power of
human governments is entrusted to men by
God, according to His own purposes for
man's welfare. . . . Therefore, the Chris-
tian will support the authority of the ex-
isting state."—The
Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 13:1.
12.
What are some of the state-
ments that Paul uses to enjoin the
spirit of love and tolerance in the
church of Christ? Rom. 14:4, 13;
15:1-4.
NoTE.—"Paul's first reason for not judg-
ing is that men are accountable, not to one
another but to God, who is their Master
and Judge. His second reason is his oft-
repeated rule of Christian love. Believers
who are strong in faith will, out of love,
be considerate of the feelings and con-
sciences of their weaker brethren, and will
exercise every care to avoid offending or
confusing them."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Rom. 14:13.
13.
How does Paul show that God's
ancient purpose for the Gentiles is
realized in the Christian church?
Rom. 15:9-13, 16.
NOTE.—"Centuries before, the pen of in-
spiration had traced this ingathering of the
Gentiles; but those prophetic utterances
had been but dimly understood. . . .
"The Saviour Himself, during His earthly
ministry, foretold the spread of the gos-
pel among the Gentiles. . . . And after His
resurrection, He commissioned His disci-
ples to go 'into all the world.' . . .
"Through the untiring ministrations of
the apostles to the Gentiles, the 'strangers
and foreigners,' who 'sometimes were far
off,' learned that they had been 'made nigh
by the blood of Christ,' and that through
faith in His atoning sacrifice, they might
become 'fellow citizens with the saints,
and of the household of God.' ...
"To those who believe, Christ is a sure
foundation. Upon this living stone, Jews
and Gentiles alike may build. It is broad
enough for all and strong enough to sustain
the weight and burden of the whole
world."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
pages
174, 175.
[ 47 ]
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